A man accused of racketeering activity with the Greensburg chapter of the Pagans was sentenced on Friday to one year of probation.
Attorney Donna McClelland told Judge Al Bell that Jeffrey Allen VanDyke, 42, has turned his life around.
“I think he’s put these acts behind him and moved on with his life,” McClelland said. “I would ask that the court grant him probation and allow him to prove that.”
VanDyke pleaded guilty yesterday to being an employee of a corrupt organization. He allegedly participated in the sale or distribution of drugs and theft of motorcycles between September and December 2006 as part of the Pagans’ organized-crime activities. An address for him was not listed on court records.
A state grand jury found that the president of the Greensburg chapter, Raymond “Pete” Overly, 41, directed the distribution of drugs and thefts of motorcycles. Overly was charged in 2009 and remains a fugitive. The former Belle Vernon resident ran the chapter from his PRA Racing motorcycle shop in Mt. Pleasant before moving it to Elizabeth Township in 2007. He disappeared in November 2008.
Several witnesses who were Pagans or vying to join the club testified before the grand jury about alleged illegal activities undertaken by Overly and other Pagans members. One witness was instructed by Overly to drive to Atlanta several times in 2006 to transport methamphetamine for delivery to Pagans members. The witness told the grand jury that he was directed by Overly to steal motorcycles to keep PRA Racing in business.
Another witness said club members would be beaten if they refused to sell drugs. The club typically sold cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, according to the grand jury.
Arrested in 2009 as a result of the investigation were:
• Shane M. Pierce, 29, of West Newton, on racketeering, drug possession and making false statements under oath. He has completed an 111⁄2-to-23-month sentence.
• Ernest W. Frantz III, 47, of West Newton, on drug possession with intent to deliver. He completed two years’ probation.
• Scott R. Smith, 41, of Scottdale, on theft charges. He is serving five years’ probation.
• William Snyder, 60, of Ruffsdale, on gun charges. He completed two years’ probation.
• Homero M. Villegas, 30, on drug conspiracy charges; an address was not listed for Villegas. He was sentenced in 2010 to less than two years in Westmoreland County prison and apparently was deported upon release, according to court records.
Renatta Signorini is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-837-5374 or rsignorini©tribweb.com.
http://triblive.com/news/2079333-74/probation-overly-pagans-drug-grand-jury-thefts-chapter-charges-club
Another witness said club members would be beaten if they refused to sell drugs. The club typically sold cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, according to the grand jury.
Arrested in 2009 as a result of the investigation were:
• Shane M. Pierce, 29, of West Newton, on racketeering, drug possession and making false statements under oath. He has completed an 111⁄2-to-23-month sentence.
• Ernest W. Frantz III, 47, of West Newton, on drug possession with intent to deliver. He completed two years’ probation.
• Scott R. Smith, 41, of Scottdale, on theft charges. He is serving five years’ probation.
• William Snyder, 60, of Ruffsdale, on gun charges. He completed two years’ probation.
• Homero M. Villegas, 30, on drug conspiracy charges; an address was not listed for Villegas. He was sentenced in 2010 to less than two years in Westmoreland County prison and apparently was deported upon release, according to court records.
Renatta Signorini is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-837-5374 or rsignorini©tribweb.com.
http://triblive.com/news/2079333-74/probation-overly-pagans-drug-grand-jury-thefts-chapter-charges-club