Pubdate: Thu, 31 Oct 2002
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Beverley Ware

BIKERS PLEAD GUILTY

Anti-Gang Charges Against Hells Angels To Be Dropped

Pre-dawn raids last December against the Hells Angels that went off with a 
very public splash appeared to fizzle in Dartmouth provincial court yesterday.

The raids marked the first time the federal government's new anti-gang 
legislation had been used in Atlantic Canada. Prosecutors expect to drop 
the charges in exchange for guilty pleas on drug trafficking charges from 
five gang members and their associates.

The Angels had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, but five changed the 
pleas in Dartmouth provincial court yesterday.

Arthur Daine Harrie and chapter president Clay Gordon McCrea each pleaded 
guilty to one count of trafficking cocaine. Graham Anton Carter and Jeffrey 
Lynds each pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking ecstasy.

They will be sentenced Jan. 29. Prosecutor Paul Riley told Judge Flora 
Buchan that at that time charges of belonging to a gang will likely be dropped.

In an interview, Riley refused to discuss what will happen, saying the four 
have not yet been sentenced. "I was advising the court on what I anticipate 
will be happening," he said.

Riley said the intent of the 10-month police investigation "was to 
infiltrate and try to disrupt" the bikers' operations in metro, because 
they constituted a "significant element of the drug trade in the Halifax 
region."

To that end, Riley said, the raids were "largely successful."

Devin James Skeard, who has been held in jail since the raids, pleaded 
guilty yesterday to one charge of trafficking ecstasy and one charge of 
possessing a firearm without the proper registration. Dressed in grey 
shorts, with tattoos on his neck and around his left calf and sunglasses 
perched on his shaved head, Skeard leaned forward to a supporter and told 
him life in jail is good. "I've been high every day. I'm still high."

Buchan agreed to a recommendation from both the prosecution and defence to 
sentence Skeard to another 32 months in jail.

Skeard sold an agent more than 1,200 ecstasy pills at $13 each, saying he 
does his business at raves. Police found a .32-calibre handgun in a woman's 
snakeskin boot during a raid on his home as part of the sweep last 
December. Riley said they also found a bullet-proof vest and a kit with 
latex gloves and ammunition for a different calibre gun.

At 28, Skeard has 17 other convictions, mostly for violent offences. Buchan 
said she hopes he uses his time in jail to think of more productive uses 
for his skills.

In all, 20 people were arrested, including full club members and 
associates. Police also seized drugs, weapons, cars and Harley-Davidson 
motorcycles.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth