Richard Beaulieu,prospect member -- Pleaded guilty July 26, 2007, to trafficking one kilogram of cocaine and possession of a restricted firearm with accessible ammunition. Sentenced to six years in the penitentiary in addition to 10 months of pre-trial custody.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Alain Lacroix,associate -- Pleaded guilty Aug. 1, 2007, to trafficking two kilograms of cocaine.
Alain Lacroix,associate -- Pleaded guilty Aug. 1, 2007, to trafficking two kilograms of cocaine. Sentenced to four years and nine months in addition to 45 days of pre-trial custody.
Timothy Muise,associate -- Pleaded guilty Nov. 9, 2007, to trafficking two kilograms of cocaine.
Timothy Muise,associate -- Pleaded guilty Nov. 9, 2007, to trafficking two kilograms of cocaine. Sentenced to six years and four months in addition to nine months of pre-trial custody.
Kenneth Wagner,Ward's right-hand man -- Pleaded guilty Sept. 9 to trafficking cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.
Kenneth Wagner,Ward's right-hand man -- Pleaded guilty Sept. 9 to trafficking cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime. Pleaded not guilty to directing four people (below) to commit trafficking of cocaine in association with a criminal organization. He was found guilty Tuesday. Sentencing will be Oct. 7.
Gerald (Skinny) Ward,Niagara chapter leader -- Pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2008, to trafficking cocaine four times
Gerald (Skinny) Ward,Niagara chapter leader -- Pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2008, to trafficking cocaine four times between May 2005 and September 2006, and unlawfully possessing $304,430 in proceeds of crime. Pleaded not guilty to directing five local members (below) to commit trafficking of cocaine in association with a criminal organization. He'll receive judgment on that issue and sentencing submissions will start Nov. 21.
Fortifications of Niagara's Hells Angels clubhouse its strict membership rules
Fortifications at Niagara's Hells Angels clubhouse and its strict membership rules helped a judge determine the national motorcycle gang is a criminal organization. The Darby Road clubhouse in Welland was protected by surveillance equipment and physical barriers, such as barbed wire and a steel door filled with cement. "One wonders why, if the purpose of the organization is legal, there has to be such extraordinary security precautions?" Judge John McMahon said Tuesday in Toronto.
The judge studied eight characteristics of the club submitted by Det. Sgt. Kenneth Davis of the province's Biker Enforcement Unit before he came to his conclusion.
The club's use of the winged death head skull logo, conformity to national rules and intelligence gathering all helped facilitate criminal activities, the judge determined. "The patch itself demands respect from criminal elements and allows members to intimidate and extort," he said. McMahon said the structure of the Hells Angels would be "the envy of many international organizations." Run by a governing body and executives, chapters take minutes, hold weekly "church meetings" for full-patch members, and have to report nationally. Membership excludes anyone who's been a police officer, prison guard or "man of colour." A lengthy probation period is required so police can't infiltrate the organization, McMahon said.
The judge studied eight characteristics of the club submitted by Det. Sgt. Kenneth Davis of the province's Biker Enforcement Unit before he came to his conclusion.
The club's use of the winged death head skull logo, conformity to national rules and intelligence gathering all helped facilitate criminal activities, the judge determined. "The patch itself demands respect from criminal elements and allows members to intimidate and extort," he said. McMahon said the structure of the Hells Angels would be "the envy of many international organizations." Run by a governing body and executives, chapters take minutes, hold weekly "church meetings" for full-patch members, and have to report nationally. Membership excludes anyone who's been a police officer, prison guard or "man of colour." A lengthy probation period is required so police can't infiltrate the organization, McMahon said.
Judge John McMahon found the Hells Angels to be a national criminal organization
Judge John McMahon found the Hells Angels, of which Wagner was an executive in the Niagara chapter, to be a national criminal organization.
McMahon said he based his decision on the organization’s structure, colours, membership rules, fortified clubhouses and criminal activities.
The ruling is expected to have implications for other Hells Angels members on trial disputing criminal organization charges, including Niagara chapter leader Gerald Ward.Although Ward’s case is being dealt with separately from Wagner’s, the same judge will be reviewing almost identical evidence to reach a verdict.
That verdict is scheduled for Nov. 21.On Tuesday, Wagner was found guilty of instructing four people to commit drug trafficking and transferring of a firearm in association with a criminal organization.He had pleaded not guilty to the charge earlier this month, but guilty to trafficking cocaine and possession of $150,675 in proceeds of crime.He will be sentenced on all counts on Oct. 7.
Wagner has agreed to forfeit the cash, his truck, motorcycle and house, which has no equity.The criminal organization conviction can carry a life sentence.
Crown prosecutor Tom Andreopoulos asked that Wagner be sentenced to 10 years in prison, in addition to time served, credited as four years.
But defence lawyer Andras Schreck argued for a sentence of no more than nine years minus time already served, which he argued was worthy of six years’ credit.
“I feel humiliated and embarrassed,” Wagner told court during his sentencing hearing.
He apologized to his 23-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, who were in court, along with his parents.
McMahon said he based his decision on the organization’s structure, colours, membership rules, fortified clubhouses and criminal activities.
The ruling is expected to have implications for other Hells Angels members on trial disputing criminal organization charges, including Niagara chapter leader Gerald Ward.Although Ward’s case is being dealt with separately from Wagner’s, the same judge will be reviewing almost identical evidence to reach a verdict.
That verdict is scheduled for Nov. 21.On Tuesday, Wagner was found guilty of instructing four people to commit drug trafficking and transferring of a firearm in association with a criminal organization.He had pleaded not guilty to the charge earlier this month, but guilty to trafficking cocaine and possession of $150,675 in proceeds of crime.He will be sentenced on all counts on Oct. 7.
Wagner has agreed to forfeit the cash, his truck, motorcycle and house, which has no equity.The criminal organization conviction can carry a life sentence.
Crown prosecutor Tom Andreopoulos asked that Wagner be sentenced to 10 years in prison, in addition to time served, credited as four years.
But defence lawyer Andras Schreck argued for a sentence of no more than nine years minus time already served, which he argued was worthy of six years’ credit.
“I feel humiliated and embarrassed,” Wagner told court during his sentencing hearing.
He apologized to his 23-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, who were in court, along with his parents.
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