Pleas entered in fatal gang brawl

LAS VEGAS — Thirty-six alleged Hells Angels members, including four men from Washington state, pleaded not guilty Friday to federal racketeering, violence and weapons charges stemming from a deadly brawl with another motorcycle gang that left three people dead and dozens hurt in 2002.

Two others, including a Kirkland man, will be arraigned next month.

"They're not a criminal organization," said David Chesnoff, a Las Vegas lawyer and unofficial spokesman for dozens of Hells Angels from five Western states charged in the fatal fracas with rival Mongols at an annual motorcycle rally in Laughlin.

Each faces the possibility of life in prison on the most serious charge, racketeering-attempted murder.

"They all work, they all have families," Chesnoff said of the men, ranging in age from 28 to 63, who are accused of brawling with guns, knives, wrenches and chairs at the Harrah's Laughlin hotel-casino. "They just happen to be members of a motorcycle club."

Among those entering pleas were Ron Arnone, 41, Tacoma; Michael Mills, 47, Wenatchee; Steven Pearce, 51, Silverdale; and Brian Wolff, 42, Spokane.

Arraignments were rescheduled next month for Jeffrey Carney, 44, Kirkland; and Rick Fabel, 48, Spokane.

The defendants, some bearing Hells Angels insignia on their shirts, vests and tattooed arms, greeted each other with handshakes and hugs as they stepped into U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen's courtroom in alphabetical groups of up to five at a time.

"Not guilty," said Charles Acosta, 30, of Oakland, Calif., whose name was first on the list. He appeared wearing jeans and a T-shirt bearing a "Hells Angels Las Vegas" logo on the back and the words "Filthy Few" on the front.

Those asked for comment outside court declined. Security was not visibly increased for the arraignments.

Fred Atcheson, a Reno-based lawyer representing defendant Jeff Morales, 47, of Corona, Calif., called the federal case "hollow."

"Seventy percent of the guys charged did nothing but walk into a casino," Atcheson said.

Prosecutors allege the group, sparked by a minor disagreement at the Laughlin River Run, armed themselves and went to Harrah's intent on fighting rival Mongols after years of territorial friction.

The April rally draws about 25,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to a Colorado River gambling and resort town about 100 miles south of Las Vegas.

Casino surveillance cameras captured dramatic images of leather-clad bikers punching and kicking each other, knocking over chairs and falling between brightly lighted slot machines. When it was over two Hells Angels and one Mongols motorcycle gang member were dead. Another member of the Hells Angels was shot to death on a highway some 115 miles west of Laughlin.

Chesnoff represents Calvin Schaefer, 36, of Chandler, Ariz., the first person charged in 2002 with murder and conspiracy in a Nevada state case that now includes charges against seven other Hells Angels and six Mongols. The Nevada Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a challenge of the indictments in that case. No date was set for a ruling.

None of the defendants in the federal case is charged with murder. Each was charged in a superseding indictment Oct. 25 with two charges of violence in the aid of racketeering, nine counts of racketeering-attempted murder, eight counts of racketeering-assault and 13 weapons charges.

Federal prosecutors Eric Johnson and Andrew Duncan declined comment Friday. They intend to try the case in stages in Las Vegas, with the first 11 defendants due for trial Jan. 23.

Defendants in the case are from California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Alaska. Most remained free on bond.

Edward Laigo, 57, of Atwater, Calif., was taken into custody in court for violating pretrial conditions of his release.

Leen rescheduled arraignments next month for four men, including two in custody in other states.

Two defendants — Frederick Donahue, 40, of Rodeo, Calif., and Jorrg Maykopf of Germany — remained fugitives.