OFF THE WIRE
KINGMAN - A Hell's Angel member whose run from the law cost him his shot at probation was back in court Thursday to plead guilty to charges related to a 2009 fight at a Bullhead City bar.
George E. Walters, 54, was arrested about a month ago after skipping out on an agreement to testify against five Hell's Angels and two Desert Road Riders who were arrested on riot charges stemming from a fight at Lazy Harry's bar June 19, 2009. Authorities say the men went to the bar, a known Vagos hangout, with the intention of confronting members of the rival club.
Prosecutor Robert Moon said at the time, the Hell's Angels were working to establish a chapter in Mohave County, which started a turf war with the Vagos.
Moon called Walters a "charismatic and notorious" member of the Hell's Angels who earned the ire of fellow club members when he agreed to testify against the others in return for a guaranteed sentence of probation from the state. That deal was rescinded when Walters fled the area, possibly out of fear for his safety.
Two armed guards were stationed at the door to the courtroom when Walters pleaded guilty to charges of rioting andparticipating in a criminal street gang syndicate. He is being held in maximum security custody at the jail.
Moon declined to give details of how Walters was located except to say that he was arrested out of state. As part of his new deal with prosecutors, Walters will receive anywhere from two to a little more than 8 ½ years in prison when sentenced by Judge Steven Conn next week. The deal does not include a provision for testifying against the others.
The seven other Hell's Angels and Desert Road Rider members who were charged still have their cases pending before the court. Moon said that while the 2009 fight may not meet most people's idea of a riot, he said the confrontation caused enough of a commotion that at least two bar patrons on the back patio considered jumping off of a balcony because of the level of violence.
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