Bootlegger Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton killed himself rather than report to federal prison after being convicted of moonshining offences. He prepared his grave footstone years in advance and had it by his front porch and kept his casket in his living room. The epitaph read, “Popcorn Said Fuck You.”

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Popcorn Sutton

Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton (October 5, 1946 – March 16, 2009) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger. Born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, he grew up, lived, and died in the rural areas around Maggie Valley and nearby Cocke County, Tennessee. He wrote a self-published autobiographical guide to moonshining production, self-produced a home video depicting his moonshining activities, and was later the subject of several documentaries, including one that received a Regional Emmy Award.

Sutton committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2009, aged 62, rather than report to federal prison after being convicted of offenses related to moonshining and illegal firearm possession. Since his death, a new company and associ… Continue Reading (7 minute read)

4 thoughts on “Bootlegger Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton killed himself rather than report to federal prison after being convicted of moonshining offences. He prepared his grave footstone years in advance and had it by his front porch and kept his casket in his living room. The epitaph read, “Popcorn Said Fuck You.””

  1. pseudocultist

    Uhhh this happened in 2009. I was thinking like, prohibition era or something. Crazy.

    Reply
  3. freightgod1

    Great post. Finally something I actually learned today.

    Reply
  4. magicswitchboard

    Back in about 2003 or so, I dated a girl whose mom worked at The Pioneer restaurant in Clyde, NC. I started hanging out there a lot, just because the girl would be there helping out, so I would stay and help too. Popcorn was in there all the time. I saw him at least weekly. The first time I saw him, I felt starstruck, but everybody made it clear to me that I shouldn’t fuck with him, and that I needed to just leave him alone, so I did.

    I never actually spoke to him, but it was kind of cool seeing him fairly regularly though.

    Reply

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