An East Chicago man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes committed while he was involved with a Gary-based motorcycle gang.

Roger “Bo” Burton was sentenced after pleading guilty to a RICO conspiracy charge in May 2024. Burton also allegedly shot and killed Sin City Desciples member London “Short Dogg” Clayton, during a May 2, 2015, fight at the clubhouse on the 1300 block of Virginia Street, according to Post-Tribune archives.

U.S. District Court Judge Philip Simon said Tuesday that the recommended sentence was 20 years, but he took mitigating factors into account.

“Who would want to be part of this?” Simon said about Sin City Disciples. “It was an organization you joined, and you were up to your ears.”

Federal prosecutors wrote in filings that Burton was once among the three most powerful members, including founder Kenneth “Sonny” McGhee and Michael Rivera, who was involved in Clayton’s murder.

Burton was also a Vice Lords member, “extremely violent” and sold cocaine to McGhee, according to court filings.

Before sentencing Tuesday, Burton apologized to the court, his attorneys and loved ones for the pain he caused. Burton told Simon that he joined Sin City Disciples to find brotherhood, but it wasn’t what he hoped for.

“I never want to put anyone through that again,” Burton said.

Lawrence Levin, Burton’s attorney, said he’s spent a lot of time with his client, and he thinks Burton understands the error of his ways and has given up his “previous life of crime.”

Levin asked Simon to sentence Burton with justice, mercy and hope that he will be reintegrated into society.

Simon said Tuesday that Burton seemed sincere before his sentencing.

“I hope you’re being genuine,” Simon said.Burton’s health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, were mitigating factors in Simon’s decision. Another mitigating factor was that Burton has a large family, the judge said.

Levin asked for Burton to be sent to a federal medical center in Lexington, Kentucky, because of his health problems. Simon told Levin that he’d recommend the medical facility.

Burton was one of 15 members and associates of the Sin City Desciples to be charged in racketeering conspiracy and a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, according to an Oct. 27, 2021, news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.

Upon sentencing Burton, Simon said he wouldn’t be issued a fine because of his lack of assets, and he would receive credit for his time in prison since Oct. 27, 2021.

mwilkins@chicagotribune .com