blog.al.com
MOBILE, Alabama -- A federal judge in Mobile last week sentenced a reputed motorcycle gang member and a co-defendant to prison for their part in a conspiracy involving more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.
U.S. District Judge Ginny Granade sentenced Johnny Blake Clanton to a year and 9 months in prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release.
She sentenced Loverne Bollwage Blackledge to 2 years and 3 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.
According to testimony in an October trial, Clanton was a member of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club. The jury convicted the Foley man of being an unlawful drug user in
possession of a firearm, but acquitted him of a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and 2 counts of using a cell phone to facilitate the conspiracy.
The jury convicted Blackledge, of Gulf Shores, on conspiracy and facilitation charges.
In April, Foley police followed Blackledge from Affordable Auto Repair on Baldwin County 12 to Alabama 59, where they found 2.5 ounces of marijuana in her truck. The resulting investigation led to convictions of the business owner, his wife, daughter and 4 others — including 2 illegal immigrants from Mexico.
The owner, James Kenneth Spencer, admitted that he sold marijuana to Clanton on a regular basis.
A search of Clanton’s home turned up drug paraphernalia, small amounts of marijuana and 3 guns, according to testimony.
