Outlaws motorcycle gang trial begins in federal court

Credit: DINESH RAMDE/AP

Federal agents remove bags and boxes after searching the Milwaukee, Wisc., headquarters of the Outlaws this summer.

By: Frank Green | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: October 20, 2010

The trial of four current or former members of the Outlaws motorcycle gang, including its national president, on charges of conspiracy to violate federal racketeering law and other violations is starting today in Richmond.

More than two dozen members of the Outlaws and Pagans motorcycle clubs were charged in a June indictment that alleged the Outlaws, with a blessing from the Pagans, opened a Manassas/Shenandoah Valley chapter in 2006, with plans to expand in the state and fight with the Hell's Angels.

The 50-page indictment led to arrests in Maine, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. One of those indicted, Thomas “Tomcat” Mayne, 59, was shot to death June 15 in Maine when authorities tried to arrest him the day the charges were made public.

The trial, which may last two weeks, is being held at Richmond’s Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige Jr. United States Courthouse with Judge Henry E. Hudson presiding. Jury selection began this morning.

The indictment alleges the Outlaws ran a longterm criminal enterprise that involved attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, robbery, extortion, witness intimidation, drug distribution, illegal gambling, weapons offenses, and a civil-rights violation.

Fifteen members or former members of the Outlaws or Pagans have pleaded guilty to charges. Six other are scheduled to be tried starting Dec. 1.

On trial starting today are: Jack “Milwaukee Jack” Rosga, 53, of Wisconsin, the Outlaws’ national president, charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit violence in the aid of racketeering; William “Rebel” Davey, 46, an alleged former chapter enforcer in North Carolina; Mark “Lytnin’” Spradling, 52, treasurer of the gang region that includes Virginia and both Carolinas; and Leslie Werth, 47, vice president of a South Carolina chapter.