Second trial set for local man in Pagans case

OFF THE WIRE
July 27, 2010 @ 12:00 AM

CURTIS JOHNSON

Herald-Dispatch.com

HUNTINGTON — A 38-year-old man from Huntington will face a jury Thursday for the second time in as many weeks.

Michael Lloyd Stevens of Huntington faces one count of retaliating against a witness. He was arrested as part of an October 2009 dragnet in several states that rounded up 55 members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club.

Prosecutors tried Stevens’ case last week, but the brief trial ended with a hung jury.

U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston has ordered both sides to try again beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 29, in Charleston.

The indictment charges that Stevens participated with others in autumn 2005 in an estimated three-month conspiracy aimed at injuring an incarcerated Pagan believed to be cooperating with law enforcement.

At the time, Stevens was a prison guard at Federal Correctional Institution Ashland. His employment ended in April 2006.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has said nobody died as a result of the alleged conspiracy.
Stevens was among eight local residents charged in the Pagans indictment. The others have been resolved.

A plea hearing once was scheduled in Stevens’ case, but the plea was withdrawn.