National President of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club Sentenced to 35 Years

Posted on September 8, 2015

DETROIT

CourtroomA federal judge sentenced the national president of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club,who was also a “Three-Star General” of the Vice Lords street gang in Michigan, to 35 years in prison for violent racketeering-related crimes, officials announced today.

So far, 12 other defendants have been convicted of federal offenses related to their roles in this violent conspiracy, according to authorities.

Following a multi-week trial on March 16, Antonio Johnson, aka Mister Tony, MT or Big Bro, 39, of Detroit, was convicted of multiple felony crimes including engaging in racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and being a felon in possession of firearms, officials said.

The arrests and convictions in this case are, in part, 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, according to officials.

“Gang wars fuel violence in our community, and the resulting drive-by shootings create unacceptable risk to innocent lives,” said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.  “The Detroit One partners are systematically dismantling violent street and motorcycle gangs that are destroying the peace in our neighborhoods.”

The evidence presented in court indicated the following facts:

  • 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 leadership of the Phantoms was heavily involved in the Vice Lords, a well-known street gang originating from Chicago, and that Johnson was both the National President of the Phantoms and a leader of the Vice Lords in Michigan.
  • Johnson used the Vice Lords to assist the Phantoms in various criminal endeavors, including to search for and violently attack rivals of the Phantoms.
  •  On Sept. 8 2013, Johnson ordered numerous Phantoms to forcibly steal the “rags,” or motorcycle vests, of members of the rival Satan Sidekick Motorcycle Club.  The evidence showed that, during Phantoms’ attempt to do so, a Satan Sidekick member was shot in the face and a Phantom member was stabbed.
  • A few weeks later, Johnson and his fellow Phantoms plotted the murder of three members of the rival Hell Lovers Motorcycle Club whom the Phantoms believed were responsible for a shooting death of a member of their club.
  •  The plot involved killing the three men and then, during the anticipated subsequent wake at the Hell Lovers’ clubhouse, shooting all Hell Lovers in attendance.
  • ATF and FBI agents intervened before the Phantoms carried out the plot.

In addition to Johnson, the following defendants have been convicted and sentenced:

  • Marvin Nicholson, 46, of Detroit, was convicted of 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, use and carry of firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence, assault of federal officers and felon in possession of firearms.He was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison.
  • Brian Sorrell, 28, of Detroit, was convicted of 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 use and carry of firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence.He was sentenced to serve 21 years in prison.
  • Matthew Schamante, 33, of Waterford, was convicted of RICO conspiracy, and was sentenced to serve 102 months in prison.
  • Brian Jackson, 48, of Detroit, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and was sentenced to serve 96 months in prison.
  • Sherman Brown, 44, of Detroit, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison.
  • Brandon Paige, 21, of Detroit, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and was sentenced to serve 90 months in prison.
  • Roger Valdes, 30, of Pontiac, Michigan, was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and use and carry of firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence, and was sentenced to serve 49 months in prison.

The following defendants also have been convicted, but have not yet been sentenced:

  • Raynard Brown, 39, of Detroit, was convicted of RICO conspiracy.
  • Vicente Phillips, 51, of Pontiac, was convicted of RICO conspiracy.
  • Maurice Williams, 34, of Detroit, was convicted of RICO conspiracy.
  • Christopher Odum, 30, of Detroit, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.
  • William Frazier, 37, of Auburn Hills, Michigan, was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and use and carry of firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence.