Four men connected to the Pagans Motorcycle Club have pled guilty to several charges related to the 44-count federal indictment released earlier this month.
In exchange for their plea deals, 55-year-old James Edward Lyttle of Marmet, 30-year-old Eric Wayne "Tree" Lyttle of Charleston, 54-year-old William "Wild Bill" Hankins, Sr. of Philadelphia, Pa., and 29-year-old Edward Day Parsons of Scott Depot will all testify against other members of the Pagans.
Father and son James Lyttle and Eric Tree Lyttle were members of the Last Rebels Motorcycle Club, a support club for the Pagans. James Lyttle pled guilty to carrying a firearm during a crime of violence while Eric Lyttle pled guilty to threatening to commit a crime of violence in aid of a racketeering activity.
The U.S Attorney's Office says the Lyttles admitted in court Tuesday that they had threatened members of a newly formed motorcycle club near Racine because they didn't get the proper permission from the Pagans. According to court documents, the Lyttles and other members of the Rebels ordered the other bikers to take off their jackets, vests, and patches at gunpoint in April 2008. James Lyttle is looking at up to life in prison with while Eric Lyttle faces up to five years in prison.
William Hankins, meanwhile, entered a guilty plea to racketeering charges. Hankins was named President of Presidents or POP in the Pagans, meaning he was responsible for overseeing the area chapters and reporting back to leaders of the organization.
Court documents says Hankins was responsible for an illegal raffle that was meant to be a fundraiser for the club. The raffle stretched across state lines from West Virginia to other states in Pagans' territory including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Hankins faces up to five years in prison.
Finally, Edward Parsons admitted to a drug conspiracy charge. U.S. Attorneys say Parsons had sold 100 to 200 grams worth of cocaine to members of the Pagans on a regular basis. He's looking at up to 20 years in federal prison.
All four men are scheduled to be sentenced on March 2nd.