OFF THE WIRE
Tresa Baldas
freep.com
A former leader of the Detroit Highwaymen Motorcycle club was sentenced to 37 years in prison today for helping run what the government had claimed was a violent biker gang in southwest Detroit that for years engaged in widespread criminal activity, including armed robbery, attempted murder and drug trafficking.
Aref (Scarface) Nagi, 46, a former vice president of the club, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds, who is overseeing 90 trials involving the Highwaymen club. Nagi, a restaurant and bar owner, was the first key figure in the club to face sentencing after being convicted last year of conspiracy to violate federal racketeering laws, conspiracy to commit murder, and controlled substance, stolen property and firearm violations.
Nagi’s lawyer, Jim Thomas, is planning to appeal.
“He is a person who is capable of being salvaged,” Thomas said of his client.
According to Thomas, Nagi was a graduate of Wayne State University and had earned two degrees: one in engineering, the other in liberal arts. He made a living running restaurants and bars in the Detroit area, he said.
“Obviously, we were disappointed with the length of the sentence,” Thomas said. “We believe that there are issues that are going to be raised on appeal which will be significant.”
Throughout the case, and after the trial, Thomas challenged the government’s wiretaps, alleging they were improperly authorized. He also contested the testimony and credibility of the witnesses.
Nagi was found guilty last year along with Leonard (Dad) Moore, 61, Joseph (Little Joe) Whiting, 56, Anthony (Mad Anthony) Clark, 52, Michael (Cocoa) Cicchetti, 55, and Gary (Junior) Ball Jr., 44.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club is headquartered in southwest Detroit and has numerous chapters in the metro area, and in other states.
At trial, prosecutors relied on witness testimony to prove the violent nature of the club. Witnesses testified that the club engaged in a wide range of criminal activity, including armed robbery, attempted murder, conspiracies to kill witnesses, use of firearms during acts of violence, and the distribution of large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and steroids. Evidence at trial also established the highly structured organization and chain of command of the Highwaymen.
Nagi, prosecutors said, was among many of the bosses who ran the enterprise.
Read more: Former leader of Detroit Highwaymen Motorcycle club sentenced
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Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20110124/NEWS01/110124035/Former-leader-of-Detroit-Highwaymen-Motorcycle-club-sentenced#ixzz1C11721HT
