Lorenzo "Fat Cat" Nichols (born December 25, 1958) is an American convicted former drug kingpin who ran a sophisticated drug trafficking organization of the 80's in Jamaica, Queens.[1] Members of Nichols's crew were a friend from prison, Howard "Pappy" Mason, a key part of Nichols's operation. Luc "Spoon" Stephen was another trusted associate as was Joseph "Mike Bones" Rogers. Nichols's headquarters was Big Mac's Deli, a business that he inherited from his then father-in-law.[2]
Lorenzo Nichols | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 25, 1958 Bessemer, Alabama |
| Other names | Fat Cat |
| Occupation | Drug Lord |
| Criminal charges | RICO |
| Criminal penalty | 40 years |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Spouse | Yammy Nichols (married 2021-present)
Joanne McClinton (d) July 29,1985 (divorced) July 21,1981 (married) |
| Children | 6 |
He got his nickname "Fat Cat" because of his linebacker-thick neck, a head so big it nearly blocked out his friends' faces in snapshots, and his rangy beard," according to the book: "Queens Reigns Supreme: Fat Cat, 50 Cent, and the Rise of the Hip Hop Hustler" by Ethan Brown.[3]
Sentencing and Punishment
editNichols pleaded guilty to ordering two deaths. One victim was a close friend from childhood and the other was former girlfriend Myrtle Horsham, who was 20 years old and the mother of Nichols's son. The Horsham murder caused Nichols' mother, Louise Coleman, to disown her son. A New York Times recount of his plea allocution, which occurred in a sealed courtroom, contained the following exchange regarding the Horsham murder: "Was one of the purposes of this to teach other people in the organization a lesson about not stealing from you?'' Judge Edward R. Korman of Federal District Court in Brooklyn asked Mr. Nichols." It wasn't just the stealing,'' Mr. Nichols replied. ''It was the fact that she was my girl and that she took my money and spent it on another person. She made me look bad in front of people who was within the organization.'' [4]
In 1992, Nichols pleaded guilty to ordering the murder of his parole officer, Brian Rooney, and received a sentence of 25 years to life. He also pleaded guilty to drug charges and racketeering charges, and was given an additional sentence of 40 years.
In 2010, the New York Daily News[5] published a letter that Nichols had written the publication from his prison cell. "I have nothing but time to ponder my misdeeds," Nichols wrote, adding, "To the victims of my criminal activities, I offer my deepest regret and sincerest apology."
April 2022, Nichols was granted parole[6] from state prison. He was released from Clinton Correctional[7] Facility and transferred into federal custody.
References
edit- ^ Buder, Leonard (1989-09-30). "Queens Drug Kingpin Reportedly Pleads Guilty". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
- ^ Dannen, Fredric. "The Nine Lives of 'Fat Cat' | Vanity Fair | April 1991". Vanity Fair | The Complete Archive. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
- ^ Brown, Ethan (2013). Queens reigns supreme : fat cat, 50 cent, and the rise of the hip hop hustler. Anchor Books. ISBN 978-0-307-48993-7. OCLC 869397641.
- ^ Buder, Leonard (1989-10-05). "Drug Boss Tells Of Giving Order To Kill 'My Girl'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ "Convicted cop killer Lorenzo 'Fat Cat' Nichols offers 'sincerest apology' to victims in letter". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ MVP, Viral. "Lorenzo 'Fat Cat' Nichols Paroled FEDS 2026 Story". OnSMASH. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ Clinton Correctional Facility Inmate Record Cards B0097. New York State Archives. 1914–1975. OCLC 1055207605.