Canton Trustee and Former FBI Agent: Highly Probable Hoffa Remains Will Be Found

Investigators were searching in an Oakland Township field Monday morning for the remains of former Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared in 1975.

The field is located just east of Adams Road off Buell Road, a location identified by tipster Anthony J. Zerilli, second in command with the Detroit mafia, according to WDIV-TV.

Canton Township Trustee John Anthony, a former FBI agent who once worked on the case surrounding the disappearance and presumed murder of Hoffa 37 years ago, says the tip is highly credible.

"The source of the information that led to a federal judge issuing search warrant comes from the son of the former head of the Detroit mafia, Tony Zerilli," Anthony said. "You can't get anymore credible then that."

Anthony said that this is the first time that he can remember where a made member of the Detroit mafia has spoken openly with the FBI.

"He (Zerilli) has provided credible information, which has been verified - that's what led to this search warrant being executed today," Anthony said. "His information as I understand it, outlines what happened to Mr. Hoffa after he vanished from the Machus Red Fox in Bloomfield Hills in 1975. He was driven to this location, this farm, up in Oakland County where he was killed and buried. That's pretty good information."

"It's highly probable, based on this new critical information, that some remains of Mr. Hoffa, in all likelihood, will be found," Anthony added. "We'll wait and see later today or tomorrow. Then we'll know exactly what happened. Like most things in life, the first page certainly looks good."

FBI Special Agent Bob Foley said in a brief press conference Monday morning that investigators are at the site to execute a search warrant based on information they have about the case. He said no further details can be provided at this time.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said during the conference that Hoffa's family has been without closure on the case. "It's my fondest hope that we can give that closure..." he said.

Former U.S. Attorney Keith Corbett echoed Bouchard's sentiments in remarks made Monday to the media.

Corbett said he hopes something turns up during the search that can give the family closure and close the case of Hoffa's mysterious disappearance. 

Investigators are searching a concentrated area at the site and have tents set up in the middle of the property, the Detroit Free Press reports.