Six Leaders and Members of Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club and Vice Lords Street Gang Convicted of Violent Racketeering-Related Crimes |
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Topics: Phantom Outlaw MC
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Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
16 March 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today, a federal jury in Detroit convicted six leaders and members of the violent Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club, many of whom were also leaders and members of the Vice Lords street gang, of conspiracy to commit murder and other violent racketeering-related offenses.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Steve Bogdalek of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’s (ATF) Detroit Field Division and Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Detroit Field Division made the announcement.
“The Phantom Motorcycle Club used violence and plotted murder in an effort to prevail in a gang war against rival motorcycle clubs in Michigan and throughout the country, and its leaders and members attempted to kill anyone who stood in their way,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “The trial convictions of the gang’s National President, National Enforcer and four other members bring to a close this dangerous organization’s violent reign. I am thankful for the courageous and diligent efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners who successfully brought this criminal enterprise to justice.”
“The Detroit One partnership has focused on dismantling violent street gangs like this one because they cause intolerable harm to public safety in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney McQuade. “We will continue to target and disrupt violent gangs in hopes of restoring peace for residents in our community.”
“The amount of pain, suffering and fear that violent gangs bring to our communities is immeasurable,” said Special Agent in Charge Bogdalek. “Our goal was to disable the group by targeting its leadership, the convictions today of leaders and members of these illegal motorcycle gangs is an excellent example of success that comes from effective law enforcement cooperation.”
“As part of the Detroit One Initiative, this joint investigation effectively targeted and neutralized violent criminal offenders of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club,” said Special Agent in Charge Abbate. “Our efforts to combat violent crime continue to be waged each and every day in cooperation with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Protecting our communities from offenders such as these is among our highest priorities, and we will continue this fight on behalf of the citizens we serve and protect.”
The jury convicted the defendants of the following offenses:
Antonio Johnson, aka, “Mister Tony,” “MT,” and “Big Bro,” 40, of Detroit, the National President of the Phantoms and the “Three-Star General” over the Vice Lords street gang in Michigan, was convicted of engaging in a RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of firearms. Marvin Nicholson, aka, “Chosen One,” 46, of Detroit, the National Enforcer of the Phantoms and a Vice Lords member, was convicted of engaging in a RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, assault on federal officers, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of firearms. Brian Sorrell, 28, aka, “PC,” of Detroit, a member of the Detroit Chapter of the Phantoms and the Vice Lords, was convicted of engaging in a RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence. Sherman Brown, aka, “Tank,” 43, of Detroit, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Detroit Chapter of the Phantoms and a Vice Lords member, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Brian Jackson, aka, “Wood,” 48, of Detroit, the Master Sergeant of the Inkster, Michigan Chapter of the Phantoms, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Matthew Schamante, aka, “Arsenal,” 32, of Waterford, Michigan, the President of the Pontiac, Michigan Chapter of the Phantoms, was convicted of engaging in a RICO conspiracy and possessing an unregistered short-barrel shotgun.