COLUMBIA, S.C., May 30 (UPI) — A leader of a South Carolina motorcycle club has been sentenced to more than years in prison after he pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, officials say.
Federal officials said Dan “Diamond Dan” Bifield, 61, ran a crime ring out of the Rock Hill Hells Angels motorcycle club that involved drug dealing, gun running and kickbacks, the Rock Hill Herald reported Wednesday.
Law enforcement officials said they infiltrated the group after Bifield conducted a drug deal with an informant in 2011. Court documents indicated the investigation led to the seizure of drugs, almost 100 weapons and other assets including motorcycles.
Of 20 Hells Angels and associates arrested, 15 have already been convicted or pleaded guilty.
Bifield’s wife, Lisa, pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and could face up to life in prison after she defaulted on a deal to testify in exchange for a five-year sentence.
The president of the Rock Hill chapter, Mark “Lightning” Baker, could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced June 19.
Bifield, who has a long history of felony convictions, claimed in court papers the Hells Angels were not a “criminal enterprise” but that they had been set up by FBI, the informant and prosecutors.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
