by Howard Owens
Three Genesee County residents -- including one who was previously accused by the feds of distributing methamphetamine but had the charges dropped -- were indicted today and accused of being part of a Hells Angels meth distribution ring that stretched from California to New York.
Donna L. McAuley (aka Donna Boon), 46, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, was originally accused in July 2010 of being part of a meth distribution ring led by 47-year-old Donald G. Vanelli, of Le Roy.
Vanelli is serving a 17-and-a-half year federal prison term after pleading guilty to procuring from suppliers and distributing between 5 and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine from 2004 through July 2010.
But McAuley's charges were eventually dropped and in July 2011 she proclaimed her innocence.
Today, McAuley was charged with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine between April 2010 and July 9, 2010. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a $2,000,000 fine.
Also charged today was her husband, James H. "Mitch" McAuley Jr., 62, listed as a resident of Oakfield but who's currently confined to Elkton Federal Corrections Facility in Ohio.
The indictment, according to the office of William Hochul, U.S. Attorney for Western New York, is a "superseding indictment," meaning it overrides a previous indictment that accused Mitch McAuley and others of being part of a criminal enterprise involved in drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder.
The third Genesee County resident indicted was Gordon L. Montgomery, 53, of Batavia. He is accused of being part of the same meth ring as Donna McAuley and being involved in trafficking 500 grams or more of methamphetamine between 2002 and July 9, 2010.
Also indicted today were alleged Hells Angels President Richard W. Mar, 60, of Monterey, Calif., along with alleged Rochester Hells Angels members Richard E. Riedman, 38, of Webster, Jeffrey A. Tyler, 47, of Rochester, and Paul S. Griffin, 58, of Blasdell.
All are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a $4,000,000 fine.
Previously charged as part of the indictment was alleged Rochester Hells Angels Member Robert W. "Bugsy" Moran Jr., 59, of Rochester. Timothy M. Stone, 31, of Gates, and Gina Tata, 47, of Rochester.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation by FBI agent Christopher M. Piehota, New York State Police under the direction of Major Mark Koss and the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief James Sheppard. Prosecution is being led by Brett Harvey of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Donna L. McAuley (aka Donna Boon), 46, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, was originally accused in July 2010 of being part of a meth distribution ring led by 47-year-old Donald G. Vanelli, of Le Roy.
Vanelli is serving a 17-and-a-half year federal prison term after pleading guilty to procuring from suppliers and distributing between 5 and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine from 2004 through July 2010.
But McAuley's charges were eventually dropped and in July 2011 she proclaimed her innocence.
Today, McAuley was charged with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine between April 2010 and July 9, 2010. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a $2,000,000 fine.
Also charged today was her husband, James H. "Mitch" McAuley Jr., 62, listed as a resident of Oakfield but who's currently confined to Elkton Federal Corrections Facility in Ohio.
The indictment, according to the office of William Hochul, U.S. Attorney for Western New York, is a "superseding indictment," meaning it overrides a previous indictment that accused Mitch McAuley and others of being part of a criminal enterprise involved in drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder.
The third Genesee County resident indicted was Gordon L. Montgomery, 53, of Batavia. He is accused of being part of the same meth ring as Donna McAuley and being involved in trafficking 500 grams or more of methamphetamine between 2002 and July 9, 2010.
Also indicted today were alleged Hells Angels President Richard W. Mar, 60, of Monterey, Calif., along with alleged Rochester Hells Angels members Richard E. Riedman, 38, of Webster, Jeffrey A. Tyler, 47, of Rochester, and Paul S. Griffin, 58, of Blasdell.
All are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a $4,000,000 fine.
Previously charged as part of the indictment was alleged Rochester Hells Angels Member Robert W. "Bugsy" Moran Jr., 59, of Rochester. Timothy M. Stone, 31, of Gates, and Gina Tata, 47, of Rochester.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation by FBI agent Christopher M. Piehota, New York State Police under the direction of Major Mark Koss and the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief James Sheppard. Prosecution is being led by Brett Harvey of the U.S. Attorney's Office.