Leslie "Les" Werth, 47, who was vice president of the Outlaws' chapter in Rock Hill, S.C.

found one of four Outlaws biker-gang members guilty of racketeering-related charges, acquitted two other defendants, and could not decide the case against the organization's national president.

Yesterday's decision came on the jury's fourth day of deliberations in federal court in Richmond and two weeks after the trial began for the four defendants.

In all, more than two dozen people were charged as part an investigation that began in 2008.

Leslie "Les" Werth, 47, who was vice president of the Outlaws' chapter in Rock Hill, S.C., was convicted yesterday of conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit violence in aid of racketeering.

Werth's wife, Wanda Werth, said after the verdict that her husband was the target of a "witch hunt" to justify the cost of the federal investigation. The case involved undercover agents who joined the Outlaws and set up a new chapter and clubhouse in Petersburg.