Pubdate: Thu, 03 Feb 2005 Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL) Copyright: 2005sPeoria Journal Star Contact: http://pjstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338 Author: Andy Kravetz Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) FEDS INDICT HELLS ANGELS Bikers Are Accused Of Conspiring To Sell Drugs And Commit Murder PEORIA - Four leaders of the Hells Angels motorcycle club conspired to commit murder, arson, intimidate witnesses and sells hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs throughout Illinois, federal prosecutors in Peoria allege. A 29-page indictment handed up by a federal grand jury in December but sealed until Wednesday claims the bikers worked together and with others over the past decade to sell more than 40 pounds each of cocaine and methamphetamine worth an estimated $624,000. Furthermore, Melvin "Road" Chancey, 35, of Alsip; James "J.W." L. White, 50, of Belvidere; David G. "Pulley" Ohlendorf, 39, of New Lenox; and Richard A. Abrams, 40, of Rockford all participated in planning various murders around the state, according to the indictment. All stand charged with narcotics distribution conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy and violating the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. If convicted, each faces up to life in prison. Federal prosecutors are expected to announce more details of the investigation during a news conference this morning. The indictment reaches back to 1994 with accusations that Chancey and Ohlendorf conspired to shoot a member of a rival motorcycle club. Then it moves up in time, sometimes going year by year and citing incidents allegedly linked to the men. The Peoria Plan In spring 2002, Ohlendorf came to Peoria to plan and ultimately attempt to murder someone, the indictment alleges. "The defendant directed the others to arm themselves, travel to Peoria, Illinois, and kill members of another motorcycle club there, and the others in fact possessed and carried firearms and firearm ammunition to Peoria to carry out that plan," according to the indictment. Later that year, the indictment alleges White, Ohlendorf and Abrams planned another homicide. It's unclear from the indictment if any murders occurred. The indictment alleges each man was a leader in the motorcycle club at some point. Chancey, a large muscular man with tattoos adorning his forearms and closely cropped Mohawk haircut was president of the Chicago chapter of the Hells Angels. Ohlendorf, also a large man with a black ponytail, is head of the Spring Valley chapter. The four men are all being held in custody of the U.S. Marshals pending a bond hearing next week. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tate Chambers, in U.S. District Court in Peoria on Wednesday, asked they be held pending trial because they are a "risk of flight and a danger to the community." A Variety Of Deeds The unusually detailed indictment is a laundry list of vice and crime throughout Illinois. From Cook County to Winnebago County to Peoria, the four men allegedly had their hand in a variety of deeds. "Members of the enterprise and their associates possessed, transported and used firearms and other deadly weapons and destructive devices including pipe bombs for various purposes, including protection and intimidation, and to otherwise further the goals of the enterprise," the indictment alleges. Federal prosecutors also seek to confiscate all items, property and money obtained through the conspiracy. According to the indictment, the racketeering allegations netted the men approximately $816,000 over the course of a decade. This is the third round of arrests involving motorcycle clubs. Last spring, a six-year investigation into the Outlaws and Grim Reapers motorcycle clubs, dubbed "Operation Iron Horse," wrapped up with nearly two dozen convictions including the Reapers' national president. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth