CONVICTED DRUG LORD ADMITS ROLE IN STEALING LUXURY AUTOMOBILES

MIAMI - An ex-drug lord has admitted he ran a stolen auto ring from
behind prison bars, selling roughly $8 million in vehicles between
1999 and 2005.

Lorenzo ''Fat Cat'' Nichols pleaded guilty last week to racketeering
charges for his role in the ring, which moved about 250 vehicles from
South Florida to buyers in 14 other states.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. It is to be served after he
completes his life sentence for drug trafficking and a 40
year-sentence for the killing of his former parole officer.

Investigators say Nichols and others involved in the scheme retitled
luxury sport utility vehicles using slightly altered identification
numbers.

Nichols had been jailed in Florida under a witness protection program,
but is again behind bars in New York, said John Sherer, spokesman for
Attorney General Charlie Crist, who is also governor elect.

Nichols' son, Lorenzo Nichols Jr., also pleaded guilty to racketeering
charges last week and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Nichols
was not the only prisoner involved in the ring. So was Richard ''White
boy Rick'' Wershe, a former drug trafficker from Detroit Authorities
said 10 of the 11 ringleaders arrested in the case have taken plea
deals .