Two former Pagans sentenced to probation on drug-related charges

OFF THE WIRE
BY: Andrew Clevenger
Source: sundaygazettemail.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two former members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club who pleaded guilty to drug-related charges were sentenced to probation in federal court Friday.

Donnie Ray "Hoss" Workman, 36, of Red House, and William Dan "Danimal" Copen, 50, of Charleston, were among the 55 defendants named in a sweeping, 44-count racketeering indictment against members and associates of the Pagans.

Both men were charged in multiple counts.

In February, Copen pleaded guilty to participating in a drug conspiracy by joining other Pagans to buy and use cocaine in the bikers' St. Albans Clubhouse during 2008. Five months later, Workman admitted that he possessed a Smith & Wesson revolver while he was a regular user of cocaine.

Workman said that he handled the gun while taking a gun safety course after he was ordered by Pagans national vice president Floyd "Jesse" Moore to obtain a concealed gun permit so that Workman could carry a gun around Moore, who could not carry one because he was a convicted felon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Loew asked U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston to give Workman a reduced sentence because of his cooperation with government investigators, including testifying before a grand jury and during another Pagan's trial in August.

Workman's attorney, James Atkins, said that Workman had a job waiting for him at the construction site of the new Buffalo High School as soon as he was released from custody.

"He just needs to start life over without any bad habits," he said.

Workman thanked his family in the gallery for supporting him during the past year.

"It was me who made the selfish decisions and put myself into trouble," he said. "I can sit here and say I'm sorry one hundred times, and it wouldn't change the [bad] decisions I've made."

Johnston noted that Workman faces state charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident in June, when Workman allegedly struck a woman while driving drunk.

Police charged Workman with DUI, DUI causing injury, leaving the scene of an accident causing injury and three other misdemeanors.

Atkins said those charges are still pending, and he is working on a plea deal with prosecutors.

Johnston said that he was not taking those charges into account as he decided Workman's sentence. He placed Workman on probation for four years, to begin after Workman is released from custody on the state charges.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two former members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club who pleaded guilty to drug-related charges were sentenced to probation in federal court Friday.

Donnie Ray "Hoss" Workman, 36, of Red House, and William Dan "Danimal" Copen, 50, of Charleston, were among the 55 defendants named in a sweeping, 44-count racketeering indictment against members and associates of the Pagans.

Both men were charged in multiple counts.

In February, Copen pleaded guilty to participating in a drug conspiracy by joining other Pagans to buy and use cocaine in the bikers' St. Albans Clubhouse during 2008. Five months later, Workman admitted that he possessed a Smith & Wesson revolver while he was a regular user of cocaine.

Workman said that he handled the gun while taking a gun safety course after he was ordered by Pagans national vice president Floyd "Jesse" Moore to obtain a concealed gun permit so that Workman could carry a gun around Moore, who could not carry one because he was a convicted felon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Loew asked U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston to give Workman a reduced sentence because of his cooperation with government investigators, including testifying before a grand jury and during another Pagan's trial in August.

Workman's attorney, James Atkins, said that Workman had a job waiting for him at the construction site of the new Buffalo High School as soon as he was released from custody.

"He just needs to start life over without any bad habits," he said.

Workman thanked his family in the gallery for supporting him during the past year.

"It was me who made the selfish decisions and put myself into trouble," he said. "I can sit here and say I'm sorry one hundred times, and it wouldn't change the [bad] decisions I've made."

Johnston noted that Workman faces state charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident in June, when Workman allegedly struck a woman while driving drunk.

Police charged Workman with DUI, DUI causing injury, leaving the scene of an accident causing injury and three other misdemeanors.

Atkins said those charges are still pending, and he is working on a plea deal with prosecutors.

Johnston said that he was not taking those charges into account as he decided Workman's sentence. He placed Workman on probation for four years, to begin after Workman is released from custody on the state charges.

The judge also fined Workman $1,000, and also ordered him not to drink any alcohol while he was on probation.

Copen, who earned multiple commendations when he served as a Green Beret during two stints in the U.S. Army, was visibly upset as he addressed the court in a separate hearing.

"I've always loved my country, Your Honor. I've served my country honorably and with dignity," he said. "I feel like I've [brought] disgrace [to] my country, and I feel like I've [brought] disgrace on my family, and for that I am truly sorry."

Copen's attorney, Mike Del Giudice, said that Copen had always been driven to be the best, not content to simply serve in the military but rising to serve in the Army's Special Forces.

When Copen was looking to join a motorcycle club, the Pagans told him that they were called a "1 percenter" club because they represented the elite of the biking world, he said. Instead, he quickly learned that the Pagans were involved in criminal activity, and voluntarily left the group after being a member for a little more than a year.

Copen did not join in when Pagans got into fights and scuffles, he said. Copen refused to assault a confidential informant in a hotel room in New Jersey in January 2009, even knowing he might face a beating himself, he said.

"Dan never threw a punch, never hit anybody. Dan would be the one breaking up the fight and getting the Pagans out of the bar," he said.

Loew said Copen was perhaps the most extreme example of a trend typical in many Pagans defendants: good work history and little or no criminal background, with their trouble with the law stemming from their involvement with the motorcycle club.

Loew also asked the judge to give Copen a reduced sentence because of his cooperation with the government.

"Frankly, he'll be looking over his shoulder for a long time because of his cooperation," he said.

"I am amazed, given your background, how you got involved in all of this," Johnston said. "It just boggles the mind how you ended up with the Pagans."

Johnston sentenced Copen to three years of probation and fined him $2,000.



The judge also fined Workman $1,000, and also ordered him not to drink any alcohol while he was on probation.

Copen, who earned multiple commendations when he served as a Green Beret during two stints in the U.S. Army, was visibly upset as he addressed the court in a separate hearing.

"I've always loved my country, Your Honor. I've served my country honorably and with dignity," he said. "I feel like I've [brought] disgrace [to] my country, and I feel like I've [brought] disgrace on my family, and for that I am truly sorry."

Copen's attorney, Mike Del Giudice, said that Copen had always been driven to be the best, not content to simply serve in the military but rising to serve in the Army's Special Forces.

When Copen was looking to join a motorcycle club, the Pagans told him that they were called a "1 percenter" club because they represented the elite of the biking world, he said. Instead, he quickly learned that the Pagans were involved in criminal activity, and voluntarily left the group after being a member for a little more than a year.

Copen did not join in when Pagans got into fights and scuffles, he said. Copen refused to assault a confidential informant in a hotel room in New Jersey in January 2009, even knowing he might face a beating himself, he said.

"Dan never threw a punch, never hit anybody. Dan would be the one breaking up the fight and getting the Pagans out of the bar," he said.

Loew said Copen was perhaps the most extreme example of a trend typical in many Pagans defendants: good work history and little or no criminal background, with their trouble with the law stemming from their involvement with the motorcycle club.

Loew also asked the judge to give Copen a reduced sentence because of his cooperation with the government.

"Frankly, he'll be looking over his shoulder for a long time because of his cooperation," he said.

"I am amazed, given your background, how you got involved in all of this," Johnston said. "It just boggles the mind how you ended up with the Pagans."

Johnston sentenced Copen to three years of probation and fined him $2,000.

Reach Andrew Clevenger at acleven...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1723.