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Geschrieben von Katrin am 04.08.2008 um 19:16:

  Gang members' convictions tossed

TOLEDO -- A federal appeals court on Friday tossed out racketeering convictions against two motorcycle gang members, including the former leader of one of the nation's largest gangs.

Thirteen members of the Outlaws gang were convicted in 2004 on charges including racketeering and conspiracy to distribute drugs. Prosecutors said the Outlaws distributed cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and LSD through a network of its clubs.

Their leader, James "Frank" Wheeler, of Indianapolis, appealed his conviction, arguing that he was essentially convicted on the same charges at an earlier trial in Florida.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati agreed and overturned his racketeering conviction. Wheeler, though, won't be getting out of prison because he is serving a life sentence for a drug conviction.

He also was sentenced to 16 1/2 years in prison for racketeering and other crimes in Florida.

The Outlaws were one of the nation's four largest motorcycle gangs, along with the Hell's Angels, Pagans and Bandidos. The Outlaws have chapters in 21 states, Europe, Canada and Australia.

The appeals court on Friday also overturned the racketeering and conspiracy convictions of Outlaws member Gregory Driver and ordered that he be resentenced on a drug conspiracy charge. The court said there was not enough evidence to convict him.

The court also upheld convictions but ordered new sentences for Gary Hohn, former president of the Dayton chapter; David Mays, former national enforcer; Patrick Puttick; and Jason Fowler.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/08/04/z-apoh_gangconvictions_0802.ART_ART_08-04-08_B5_IGAUA24.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101