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| The new three-piece suit... |
By Erin Sherbert
When we think of Hells Angels-like crimes, we tend to go straight to murders, drugs, and all things anarchy. But it seems the Angels have expanded their criminal portfolio.
Josh Leo Johnson, vice president of the Sonoma chapter of the Hells Angels, will have to trade in his outlaw vest for a prison suit. The 36-year-old biker was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison after he admitted to participating in a major mortgage fraud scheme.
In December, 2011, Johnson, 36, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, admitting to illegally obtaining mortgage loans between 2006 and 2007. In May 2007, he signed loan applications with false statements so he could secure property in Healdsburg. These false statements caused interstate wire transfers of loan funds from mortgage lenders directly to the Angel's account.
Here are some of the false statements he made: Johnson claimed he was the owner of a fictitious company for several years; he claimed to be making a shitload of money, and said he had a recurring salary.
He also altered bank statements to reflect a series of inflated balances in his bank account. The loan applications Johnson submitted ultimately resulted in a loss to the lender of approximately $135,000, though the amount of loss in the overall conspiracy is several million dollars, according to federal prosecutors.
Judge William Alsup also ordered Johnson to pay a $130,000 restitution, and he must be supervised for three years following his release. He will spend half of his sentence in prison and the other half in home detention.
Unless, of course, his buddies motor up and spring him, swinging chains and clubs and being just as badass as they're supposed to be.
