Ex-head Of Motorcycle Club Gets 35 Years In Prison
DETROIT (AP) - The former president of a Detroit motorcycle club has been sentenced to 35 years in prison by a judge who says the group caused a "reign of terror'' on the city's southwest side.
A lawyer says the punishment Monday for 56-year-old Joseph Whiting could become a life sentence because of his age and health problems.
Known as "Little Joe,'' Whiting was one of six members of the Highwaymen convicted last summer of a racketeering conspiracy. Four more were convicted in December. Prosecutors describe the Highwaymen as a violent gang involved in drugs, robbery and other crimes.
Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds says there was a "ton of drug activity'' and Whiting was in the "thick of it.''
Whiting gave a rambling statement, raising constitutional objections to many parts of his trial.
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