OFF THE WIRE
WASHINGTON — A US jury has convicted the national leader of the Outlaws biker gang and three others of taking part in a violent criminal group, in a blow meant to idle the motorcyclists' crimes.
"Today's conviction of the Outlaws' national president strikes a crippling blow to his violent motorcycle gang," said US Attorney Neil MacBride in neighboring Virginia.
"Riding a Harley (Davidson) doesn't make you a criminal -- but you cross the line when your motorcycle gang engages in violent criminal activity as a way of doing business," he said.
Prosecutors presented evidence at trial showing that the Outlaws planned multiple acts of violence against rival motorcycle gangs.
A federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia convicted Jack Rosga, alias "Milwaukee Jack," 53, of conspiring to engage in racketeering activities and conspiring to commit violence in aid of racketeering.
The national president of the Outlaws, Rosga faces up to 20 years in prison for the racketeering charge and a maximum of three years in prison for the violence charge.
Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer added that "we are committed to bringing significant prosecutions against the leaders of the country's most notorious and violent groups."
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Cuccinelli applauds Outlaws convictions
By: David Sherfinski 12/22/10
Staff Writer
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli applauded the racketeering convictions of the national head of the Outlaws motorcycle gang and three of its members.
Gang president Jack Rosga of Milwaukee, Mark Jason Fiel, Harry McCall and Christopher Timbers were found guilty by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia and are scheduled for sentencing on April 8.
“The Outlaws motorcycle gang ran a highly organized criminal enterprise responsible for a lot of violence and havoc, and yesterday’s verdict is one more powerful message that we are not tolerating gang activity in Virginia,” said Cuccinelli.
More than 20 gang members were indicted in June on charges that they participated in a criminal enterprise that engaged in murder, kidnapping, assault and robbery.
Dennis Haldermann, 46, a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club from Chesterfield, Va., was acquitted of a violence in aid of racketeering charge.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/capital-land/2010/12/cuccinelli-applauds-outlaws-convictions#ixzz18soIVNHT
