MICHIGAN
U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman sentenced a leader of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club, who was also a member of the Vice Lords street gang, to 40 years in prison today for violent racketeering-related crimes and shooting at federal agents.
Marvin Nicholson, 46, of Detroit, was convicted on March 16, 2015, after a multi-week trial 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.
These convictions are the result of the Detroit One Initiative, a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community to reduce homicide and other violent crime in Detroit and the Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership Task Force, which consists of representatives of the ATF, Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections and the FBI.
At trial, the evidence showed that the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club, which is headquartered in northwest Detroit, and its members were involved in a range of criminal activity, including conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, robbery, extortion and the possession and sale of stolen vehicles and motorcycles.
The evidence also showed that the leadership of the Phantoms was heavily involved in the Vice Lords street gang, which is a well-known street gang originating in Chicago, officials said.
According to the evidence, Nicholson was the National Enforcer of the Phantoms and a member of the Vice Lords street gang.
Further, the evidence showed that Nicholson played a significant role in planning armed assaults on rivals, imposing discipline on the Phantoms and carrying out the orders of Antonio Johnson, aka Mister Tony, MT and Big Bro, who was the National President of the Phantoms and the “Three-Star General” over the Vice Lords street gang in Michigan.
The charges of which Nicholson was convicted primarily stemmed from the Phantoms’ attacks or planned attacks on their rivals and enemies, including a murder plot.
Finally, the trial evidence demonstrated that, on Oct. 4, 2013, while the ATF attempted to execute a search warrant at his residence in Detroit, Nicholson shot at ATF agents as they attempted to enter his residence, officials said.
A wall prevented the bullets from hitting the agents.