Son of jailed biker club leader is given prison term for threatening witness

OFF THE WIRE
The son of the jailed president of the Chosen Few motorcycle club was sentenced Monday to 18 months in federal prison for threatening a government witness.

With about 20 members and supporters of the biker club watching, Chad Koschuk, 24, of Alden, was sentenced by U. S. District Judge William M. Skretny.

The judge referred to Koschuk’s conduct as “bad, stupid and ugly,” but the sentence was well below the potential prison term that was prescribed by advisory government sentencing guidelines.

After a jury trial in July, Koschuk was convicted of making verbal threats against Jason Macken, an alleged victim of extortion by the Chosen Few, during an encounter outside a convenience store in Alden.

The incident took place in September 2009. According to federal prosecutors and agents, Koschuk criticized Macken for testifying against his father and told him he would someday sexually assault him while pulling on his ponytail.

Koschuk did not stalk Macken and ran into him “by chance,” defense attorney Daniel J. Henry Jr. said. Henry also said Koschuk spoke out of anger and in defense of his father, and noted that his client never physically touched Macken.

Skretny said he understood all that but added that he cannot “condone” or “minimize” anyone making threats against a witness.

“We’re talking about a trash-talking threat, [but] you just don’t go around doing this to individuals,” Skretny told Koschuk. “There needs to be full respect for the law.”

The sentence actually was a break for Koschuk. Advisory sentencing guidelines — which the judge declined to follow in this case — called for a prison term of 41 to 51 months.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Anthony

M. Bruce said Koschuk’s crime was serious, and he asked the judge to sentence him within the guidelines. He said Koschuk had made threatening statements about another witness in the case prior to his contact with Macken.

“[Koschuk] was angry, and he wanted to affect the outcome of the case,” Bruce said. “This is an obstruction-of-justice case. [Witnesses have to] testify without any fear of retaliation against them.”

Koschuk’s father is Alex Koschtschuk, 58, longtime president of the Depew-based biker club. The two spell their last names differently. Alex Koschtschuk is in jail, awaiting trial on charges that include racketeering, weapons possession, arson and assault.

He and 19 other Chosen Few members deny the allegations filed against them last year in the biggest criminal case ever brought against a local biker club. So far, no trial date has been set.

Chosen Few members and associates are angry about the charges, contending that they are the victims of unfair government prosecution. The confrontation between Koschuk and the witness occurred four months after federal agents locked up his father.

In sentencing Koschuk on Monday, Skretny also noted that Koschuk has suffered from many physical and mental problems relating to a serious spinal cord injury that occurred when he was 13.
dherbeck©buffnews.com

“We’re talking about a trash-talking threat, [but] you just don’t go around doing this to individuals,” Skretny told Koschuk. “There needs to be full respect for the law.”

The sentence actually was a break for Koschuk. Advisory sentencing guidelines — which the judge declined to follow in this case — called for a prison term of 41 to 51 months.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Anthony

M. Bruce said Koschuk’s crime was serious, and he asked the judge to sentence him within the guidelines. He said Koschuk had made threatening statements about another witness in the case prior to his contact with Macken.

“[Koschuk] was angry, and he wanted to affect the outcome of the case,” Bruce said. “This is an obstruction-of-justice case. [Witnesses have to] testify without any fear of retaliation against them.”

Koschuk’s father is Alex Koschtschuk, 58, longtime president of the Depew-based biker club. The two spell their last names differently. Alex Koschtschuk is in jail, awaiting trial on charges that include racketeering, weapons possession, arson and assault.

He and 19 other Chosen Few members deny the allegations filed against them last year in the biggest criminal case ever brought against a local biker club. So far, no trial date has been set.

Chosen Few members and associates are angry about the charges, contending that they are the victims of unfair government prosecution. The confrontation between Koschuk and the witness occurred four months after federal agents locked up his father.

In sentencing Koschuk on Monday, Skretny also noted that Koschuk has suffered from many physical and mental problems relating to a serious spinal cord injury that occurred when he was 13.

dherbeck©buffnews.com