Former Outlaws testify as trial continues

OFF THE WIRE
Source: Richmond Times Dispatch
By Reed Williams
Hours after Brian McDermott became a full member of the Outlaws, he was beaten at the motorcycle gang’s clubhouse in Hickory, N.C., by two men with rings on their fingers, apparently for breaking rules set by the club.

McDermott, testifying on the fourth day of a federal racketeering trial in Richmond, said he was attacked after falling asleep wearing his club patch — members are not supposed to lie down while wearing their patch — and apparently because he had failed to “secure” his patch.
McDermott said he was beaten early in the morning after a party that was thrown to celebrate his membership in the club. It was his big night, and he was told he could get drunk and didn’t have to worry about what he did or said.

Fellow Outlaw Leslie “Les” Werth was angry when he learned McDermott had been beaten, McDermott testified. The two men later were punished, with each being ordered to pay a $100 fine, be placed on probation with the club and a be dealt “a black eye.”

A federal prosecutor asked McDermott on Monday why he didn’t leave the Outlaws. “Biggest mistake of my life,” McDermott replied. “I was scared.” He added that he also was pleased with how Werth handled the situation.

McDermott, 50, is one of more than two dozen members of the Outlaws or Pagans motorcycle clubs who was indicted in June. McDermott has been convicted on a drug-distribution charge and a related firearm charge, and he’s hoping his cooperation with the government will win him leniency at sentencing.

On trial now are Werth, 47; the Outlaws’ national president, Jack “Milwaukee Jack” Rosga, 58; Mark “Lytnin’ “ Spradling, 52; and William “Rebel” Davey, 46.

Also testifying today was Lyle Beatty, an Outlaw who became a federal informant for the FBI and was paid $75,000 for expenses over a roughly three-year period.