FOX5 Web Staff
SAN DIEGO — A high-ranking Hells Angels member and accused murderer who
allegedly controlled methamphetamine sales in Ocean Beach and Point Loma before
his arrest two years ago was sentenced Monday to nearly 22 years in federal
prison.
Michael Edward Ottinger Jr., 43, received the 262-month custody term in U.S. District Court in San Diego.
In addition to the conviction for conspiracy to distribute an illegal drug, Ottinger, who served as a “sergeant at arms” for the rebel motorcycle club, also is charged in state court with murder, attempted murder, robbery, mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and issuing criminal threats.
At Ottinger’s sentencing hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew G. Schopler said Ottinger had been the “highest value” target in a yearlong wiretap investigation conducted by the FBI Violent Crime Task Force.
The operation, which focused on methamphetamine-trafficking and violent crimes committed by local Hells Angels and their criminal partners, resulted in the indictments of 36 people.
Agents began wiretapping Ottinger’s phones after evidence came to light suggesting that he had killed rival Mongols motorcycle gang member Fernando Fernandez and was using threats and violence to control area methamphetamine distribution.
According to prosecutors, the Hells Angels awarded Ottinger “Filthy Few” and “Thug Crew” patches, which are given to members who have committed acts of violence on behalf of the club.
Ottinger was jailed on narcotics charges in December 2010, prior to the end of the wiretap probe and nearly 10 months before the arrests of the other defendants.
U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff found Ottinger to be a “career offender” under federal law. His criminal record includes seven prior felonies, including convictions for false imprisonment, a firearms offense, auto theft, evading an officer while driving recklessly and three drug- trafficking crimes.
Read more: http://fox5sandiego.com/2012/12/03/high-ranking-hells-angel-gets-sentenced/#ixzz2E6DT7eRk
Michael Edward Ottinger Jr., 43, received the 262-month custody term in U.S. District Court in San Diego.
In addition to the conviction for conspiracy to distribute an illegal drug, Ottinger, who served as a “sergeant at arms” for the rebel motorcycle club, also is charged in state court with murder, attempted murder, robbery, mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and issuing criminal threats.
At Ottinger’s sentencing hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew G. Schopler said Ottinger had been the “highest value” target in a yearlong wiretap investigation conducted by the FBI Violent Crime Task Force.
The operation, which focused on methamphetamine-trafficking and violent crimes committed by local Hells Angels and their criminal partners, resulted in the indictments of 36 people.
Agents began wiretapping Ottinger’s phones after evidence came to light suggesting that he had killed rival Mongols motorcycle gang member Fernando Fernandez and was using threats and violence to control area methamphetamine distribution.
According to prosecutors, the Hells Angels awarded Ottinger “Filthy Few” and “Thug Crew” patches, which are given to members who have committed acts of violence on behalf of the club.
Ottinger was jailed on narcotics charges in December 2010, prior to the end of the wiretap probe and nearly 10 months before the arrests of the other defendants.
U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff found Ottinger to be a “career offender” under federal law. His criminal record includes seven prior felonies, including convictions for false imprisonment, a firearms offense, auto theft, evading an officer while driving recklessly and three drug- trafficking crimes.
Read more: http://fox5sandiego.com/2012/12/03/high-ranking-hells-angel-gets-sentenced/#ixzz2E6DT7eRk
COMMENT
I think wire-tapping
should be illegal.... If citizens are not allowed to use taped conversations as
evidence in a court case than why is tapping peoples phones OK? There has to be
a part of this law I'm not understanding??
Read more: http://fox5sandiego.com/2012/12/03/high-ranking-hells-angel-gets-sentenced/#ixzz2E6Db5bOk