THE SMUGGLER’S BLUES: Orlando Museum Basquiat Player, Picker “Billy”, Went From Miami To Jamaica In 1973…And Ended Up In Federal Prison
The man attorney Pierce O’Donnell identified as “Billy” in his Orlando Museum of Art Basquiat catalogue essay, stating he was “a teenager in Pompano Beach in 1974” when he met “Lee” was no kid — and he certainly wasn’t going to “pawnshops to buy and sell” expensive watches like his buddy “Lee” claimed. (“Billy” is Michael William Force, alternately known as William Michael Force, and “Lee” is John Leo Mangan III, AKA Leo Mangan, AKA Lee Tucker.)
As I’ve revealed in a previous post, “Billy” (Michael William Force) was already 27 in 1974 and was likely already in a federal prison.
Force (under the name “William Michael Parks”) was one of a group of several involved in a conspiracy to import marijuana from Jamaica into the United States. Government agents and the owner of M/V ADVENTURER III on which the marijuana was to be smuggled worked together to set up the arrest of the co-conspirators, which took place on March 8, 1973, off the coast of Jamaica. Except for a man named Joseph Marino, all of the co-conspirators were present and arrested on that date.
They entered a plea of nolo contendere and were sentenced to prison for various terms. (Marino was was not arrested until approximately three years later.)
In its indictment, the government alleged “three overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, all of which were perpetrated by one William Michael Parks”, also known as William Michael Force.
On or about January 21, 1973, William Michael Parks/William Michael Force boarded the vessel ADVENTURER III at Watson’s Island, Miami, Florida; on or about January 28, 1973, William Michael Parks/William Michael Force arrived at the pier behind the vessel ADVENTURER III on Watson’s Island, Miami, Florida; and (iii) on or about March 1, 1973, William Michael Parks/William Michael Force entered the Royal Castle at Biscayne Boulevard and Tenth Street, Miami, Florida.
During the trial, the government called two witnesses to prove a conspiracy to import marijuana into the United States.
The first was Fred Williams, a crew member aboard ADVENTURER III. Williams and the captain of the ship met during the early part of 1973 with appellant and Parks/Force. Parks/Force solicited the captain to take the ship to Jamaica for the purpose of picking up a load of marijuana.
There was a second meeting aboard the ship between crew member Williams and Marino. During this meeting, Marino told Williams and the captain the initial details of the smuggling operation. At the third meeting, Marino, the captain and Williams met on board the ship and proceeded to Negril, Jamaica, where they actually commenced the smuggling operations.
Marino then completed the instructions on how smuggling operations were to proceed. Marino departed, the marijuana was transferred to another ship, and all the co-conspirators other than Marino were arrested.
The government’s second witness was an agent of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
He testified about his surveillance of Parks/Force and Marino.
According to Bureau of Prisons records, “Michael William Force” (“Billy”) was released from federal custody on June 8, 1993.
In addition to the records I’ve already gathered, I’ve requested complete case information on Force’s drug smuggling criminal history from the National Archives in Washington, D. C.
I promise I’ll publish that information.
Right here.
Like these.
