Former motorcycle club leader gets 35 years

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. Published: Wed, Mar 16, 2011