Jul 25, 2006 3:39 pm US/Central
Former Hells Angels Leader Sentenced
Man Gets More Than 9 Years For Part In Racketeering, Narcotics Ring
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) ―
The former president of Chicago's Hells Angels motorcycle club chapter was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for his part in a decade-long racketeering and narcotics ring.
Melvin Chancey, 38, of Alsip is the third former leader of Hells Angels chapters in Illinois sentenced after a federal investigation that authorities say uncovered a conspiracy of violence and intimidation to protect turf for drug sales.
U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm also fined Chancey $2,500 on Monday under a plea agreement that shaved about 10 years off the maximum prison sentence on federal racketeering and drug charges.
Chancey pleaded guilty in January, admitting that he dealt cocaine and methamphetamine in the mid-1990s while conspiring with fellow bikers to threaten and intimidate members of other motorcycle gangs.
He said he took part in the 1994 shooting of a rival club member in Cook County along with a 1995 scheme where threats were made to blow up a rival gang's clubhouse in Kankakee.
Two other former Hells Angels chapter leaders also pleaded guilty and were sentenced last month.
David Ohlendorf, 40, of New Lenox, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, while Richard Abrams, 41, of Rockford was handed a 36-month term. Ohlendorf headed the motorcycle club's Spring Valley chapter. Abrams held leadership roles in both the Spring Valley and Rockford chapters.
James White, 50, of Belvidere, also pleaded guilty but withdrew the plea in May. Prosecutors say White, who was president of the motorcycle club's Rockford chapter, likely will stand trial later this year.
Prosecutors allege the men were behind shootings, beatings and threats against rival gang members and others to clear the way for drug deals from Chicago and Rockford to Peoria. The conspiracy protected sales of cocaine and methamphetamine with a street value of $624,000 from 1993 through 2002, according to prosecutors.
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