Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Former mobster testifies in Rock Hill Hells Angels trial

OFF THE WIRE
COLUMBIA — The former mobster and the Hells Angel club president discussed a gun deal on the phone.

Joseph Dillulio, the former mobster who ran a Rock Hill jewelry store, talked about buying a gun from a Hells Angel nicknamed Yard Owl.

“I did a little thing with Yard Owl, and I wanted to make sure he took care of you, number one,” Dillulio said in a recorded phone conversation played Monday in U.S. District Court.

Mark Baker, the president of the Hells Angels Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter, replied, “Yeah, he did.”

Baker is one of five Hells Angels on trial for federal drug, gun, money laundering and racketeering charges. The recording of the discussion about kickbacks was part of the case to prove the racketeering charges.

Testimony began with high security at Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse as a former member of the Hells Angels Charleston chapter testified, breaking one of the most important Hells Angels rules – no snitching.

Fred Jimmy Condrey, who is in federal prison for dealing methamphetamine, explained the Hells Angels organizational structure and the rules of membership. He also described the Hells Angels relationship to other motorcycle club and how the Hells Angels control the methamphetamine trade in South Carolina.

Dillulio, 54, worked as a paid confidential informant under the code name Midas, and his Rock Hill jewelry store served as a front for the FBI to monitor transactions with the Hells Angels.

Dillulio explained how he bought guns, methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription pills from the Hells Angels, and he described the shady dealings that happen between criminals.

In cross examination, defense attorneys attacked Dillulio’s credibility, and their questioning got under Dillulio’s skin.

“Mr. Midas, if a lawyer in this courtroom described you as a man with a checkered past, would you agree with that?” asked John Delgado, Baker’s attorney.

Dillulio replied, “You can call me my proper name or I’m not going to answer your questions.”

http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/02/25/4646458/former-mobster-testifies-in-hells.html#storylink=cpy