Louisiana - Alleged head of bike gxxx faces federal charges

OFF THE WIRE
The head of a local biker gang, who has been in jail for more than two years on weapons and drug charges in Terrebonne Parish, faces new federal charges, court papers filed Monday say.

Blaine Pennison, 44, was arrested by State Police in August 2009 after a search turned up a revolver loaded with six bullets, court papers say. Pennison, who has prior drug convictions in Terrebonne Parish and was on parole when arrested, also had several pills and was charged with possession, an affidavit says.

On Friday, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans filed paperwork accusing Pennison of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Court papers say “Pennison is the Houma chapter president of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and has been known to possess firearms. ... Pennison is known to be violent towards other Bandidos OMG members as well as the general public.”

Pennison's attorney, John Thomas, said his client didn't know the gun was in his house. Thomas said Pennison's friend left the gun there and planned to retrieve it before Pennison returned.

If convicted, prosecutors could choose to label Pennison as a habitual offender. That designation allows for an extended prison sentence.

Pennison, , who used to operate a tattoo parlor in Houma, was scheduled to stand trial this week in Judge Johnny Walker's courtroom for the local charges. On Monday, that trial was moved to Nov. 28, as Pennison was not transported from the State Penitentiary in Angola.

Pennison is being kept at Angola, instead of the Terrebonne Parish jail, because he poses a security risk, authorities said.

It is unlikely the local trial will take place. The District Attorney's Office will not prosecute the charges filed in Terrebonne court because of the federal charges, First Assistant District Attorney Carlos Lazarus said.

http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20110912/HURBLOG/110919880?p=1&tc=pg