OFF THE WIRE
Paul Egan
Source: detnews.com
Michigan - Detroit -- A former Detroit president of the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club could face more than 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty this morning to racketeering.
Ronald Hatmaker, 51, admitted to knowing about or participating in crimes including extortion, drug dealing and illegal gambling but has not agreed to cooperate or testify against six other current or former Highwaymen leaders scheduled to stand trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit on April 1.
That trial, which kicks off the government's prosecution of more than 80 defendants charged in a lengthy FBI investigation of the club that was born in Detroit and has branches around the country, is expected to last two months.
Hatmaker told U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds he joined the Highwaymen in 2002 and served as Detroit president for parts of 2005 and 2006.
He admitted to threatening violence against a member who owed back dues and said he knew about illegal gambling and cocaine distribution inside the club's Michigan Avenue headquarters, in addition to other crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Graveline said sharp disagreement remains between the government and Hatmaker's defense attorney, Jeffrey Cojocar, over Hatmaker's sentencing guideline range.
Prosecutors believe Hatmaker was involved in murder conspiracies against confidential informants in the racketeering case and say his sentencing guidelines, which are advisory only, are in the 15- to 20-year range, Graveline said.
Hatmaker denies he was involved in any murder conspiracy and says his guidelines should be about two years and six months to three years.
Edmunds allowed Hatmaker to remain free on bond and set his sentencing for Oct. 5.
Six alleged former or current leaders of the Highwaymen -- Aref "Steve" Nagi, Joseph "Little Joe" Whiting, Michael "Cocoa" Cicchetti, Leonard "Dad" Moore, Gary Ball Jr. and Anthony "Mad Anthony" Clark -- are to stand trial April 1.
