Prosecutors to pursue charge against Motley Crue bassist

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 3:05 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS - Prosecutors have decided to pursue a misdemeanor charge against Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx.

Sixx, 40, whose real name is Frank Carlton Ferrano, was arrested following an Aug. 11 concert at Mandalay Bay on a charge of provoking a breach of peace.

Police said they warned the band members before the concert that any statements to the crowd of 8,000 that could provoke violence would result in their arrests.

Police said near the end of the concert Sixx told the crowd:

"Every time we come to town the (expletive) cops tell us we can't be Motley Crue. If they don't like it, we can start flipping over cop cars like we did a couple of years ago."

Police said this was a reference to a November 1997 incident in which police and security had to stop a Motley Crue concert for about 10 minutes when a riot broke out at the old Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. Four people were injured, but no arrests were made.

District Attorney Stewart Bell said Tuesday prosecutors examined the material forwarded by police and decided to pursue the misdemeanor charge, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and a sentence of up to six months.

Bell said prosecutors also have decided to pursue misdemeanor charges filed against two members of the band's road crew.