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Gang Member Sentenced

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 2, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - The fifth and final defendant in an October 2006 gang beating learned Wednesday that his next 15 years will be spent in prison.

A jury of three men and three women found 19-year-old Nathaniel Nichols guilty of aggravated battery in the beating of fellow Royal Bloods gang member Joseph Holt.

Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Judge Shawn Crane opted to give Nichols the maximum sentence allowable for his role in the crime.

"You will still be a young person after you serve this time," Crane told Nichols. "One can hope that you will be able to turn your life around and be a productive member of society."

Nichols received the maximum after Crane heard about his extensive juvenile record, which began when he was 10 and included numerous charges involving violence. In one incident, Nichols threatened to kill his brother with a knife, Crane said.

Holt, the Royal Bloods' second-in-command, was 19 when he was lured to a field near State Road 54 and Madison Street and pummeled with a crowbar. He suffered broken bones and a head wound that took six staples to close.

Authorities charged Richard Wears, Allen Harvey, Andrew Henn, Shane Thomas and Nichols with the beating. Wears, the purported gang leader, ordered the beating after learning that Holt wanted to leave the gang, authorities said.

Wears, Harvey and Henn pleaded no contest to charges in August 2007. Wears was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Harvey to 25 years and Henn to 17 years.

Thomas pleaded no contest in October 2007 and was sentenced to 15 years.

Todd Leskanic

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