A former Hells Angels vice president whom authorities say is an Oakfield resident entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court today to a methamphetamine distribution charge.
James Henry McAuley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential $4 million fine.
The Democrat and Chronicle reported this morning that McAuley intended to plead guilty to help spare his wife, Donna Boon, 50, of Oakfield, a potential prison term.
Boon also entered a guilty plea today, to a count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine.
Federal prosecutors accused McAuley of leading a methamphetamine ring from 2002 through July 9, 2010. At the time, McAuley was reportedly a vice president with the Hells Angels.
McAuley was reportedly obtaining the meth from a source in Monterey, Calif.
According to authorities:
The defendant and other members of the conspiracy traveled to California on numerous occasions to obtain pound-size quantities of methamphetamine from the supplier they then transported or shipped from California to the Rochester area where another member of the conspiracy would sell it to their customers.
On July 9, 2010, federal and local authorities, working together, concluded a lengthy investigation that included drug buys, wiretaps and video surveillance, and arrested five people on meth distribution charges.
The five arrested did not include McAuley, but did include Boon, along with Donald G. Vanelli II, who was eventually sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.
The charges against Boon from that arrest were eventually dropped and Boon contacted The Batavian to proclaim her innocence.
McAuley was arrested in April 2008 on racketeering charges and authorities contend that McAuley continued to maintain control over the meth ring.
According to prosecutors:
McAuley’s wife, Donna Boon, distributed quantities of methamphetamine to others, including an individual in Genesee County, who further distributed the drugs to customers in the Genesee County area. Boon admitted to trafficking up to 30 grams of methamphetamine.
From the press release:
These pleas are part of a larger investigation that resulted in the indictment and arrest of members and associates of the Rochester and Monterey (California) Hell's Angels for drug trafficking and racketeering-related offenses in February 2012. Along with McAuley and Boon, Monterey (California) Hell's Angels President Richard W. Mar, and Jeffrey A. Tyler, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Three other defendants -- Paul Griffin, Richard E. Riedman, and Gordon L. Montgomery – were convicted for their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy. Judge Siragusa sentenced Griffin to probation and Riedman to 37 months in prison; Montgomery is awaiting sentencing.
Rochester Hell's Angels member Robert W. Moran Jr., along with Gina Tata, are charged in the same indictment with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity, and Moran and Tata are charged with conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity. In addition, Tata is charged with being an accessory after the fact to the assault and conspiracy. Another defendant, Timothy M. Stone, was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to the assault and conspiracy, and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
McAuley and Boon are scheduled to appear for sentencing at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, May 24.
Some of the prior related stories:
- Alleged heist of scrap metal thwarted by Sheriff's deputies
- Five suspected meth dealers busted in early morning raids
- FBI agent's affidavit reveals some details of alleged meth ring investigation
- Le Roy meth dealer given time in federal prison
- Batavia woman proclaims her innocence after meth dealing case dropped by feds
- Three Genesee County residents accused of being part of Hells Angels meth distribution ring
- Men caught stealing tons of scrap metal convicted in federal court
