Pagan's defendants plead no contest to conspiracy

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CHARLESTON, W.Va.
Two men have pleaded no contest to state conspiracy charges in a kidnapping case involving the former national president of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club.

Fifty-four-year-old Michael Trone of Newport, Pa., and 65-year-old Michael Grayson of Virginia each entered no contest pleas Thursday in Kanawha County Circuit Court. Both face one to five years in prison for single counts of conspiracy to kidnap.

The charges date back to 2003 and the alleged kidnapping of several members of the Pagan's Charleston chapter. Prosecutors say they were held at gunpoint while national leaders settled an internal dispute.

Former national president David "Bart" Barbeito still faces charges in the state case. The Myersville, Md., resident also is the lead defendant in a federal racketeering case targeting the club.

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