The national president of the Outlaws motorcycle gang and three of his associates from the Carolinas are on trial in Virginia on racketeering and other charges.
Jury selection began Wednesday for Jack Rosga of Milwaukee, Wis.; Leslie Werth of Rock Hill; William Davey of Asheville and Mark Spradling of Hickory.
Rosga is the leader of what federal prosecutors call a highly organized criminal enterprise responsible for a number of violent acts aimed at gaining an advantage over the rival Hell's Angels.
The gang feud even prompted police in 1999 to "shut down" the Rock Hill Toy Run, a charity toy drive headed by local bikers that donated toys, food and money to needy families.
Twenty-seven American Outlaw Association motorcycle gang members were indicted in June. One was shot to death as federal agents tried to arrest him in Maine. Fifteen have entered guilty pleas, charges against one were dropped, and six others will be tried later.
Two of the 27 arrested were from Rock Hill: Michael "M&M" Mariaca, 50, who authorities say is president of the Rock Hill Outlaws Chapter, and Werth, 47, who authorities say is vice president of the Rock Hill Outlaws Chapter.
The Outlaws are accused of assaulting gang members in bars - including one in Rock Hill - and at motorcycle shows from Waterbury, Conn., to Daytona, Fla., to mark their territory and fight a war against their chief rivals, the Hell's Angels.
During the raid this summer, the Rock Hill Police Department assisted Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in executing a search warrant at the Outlaws' clubhouse east of downtown.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/21/1776221/outlaws-bikers-from-carolinas.html#ixzz13ARK53O8
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