Two Former Pagans Motorcycle Club Members Enter Guilty Pleas

After three days of trial, the final two members charged in a federal investigation of the Pagans Motorcycle Club entered guilty pleas. A jury trial started March 19 for Richard Weaver and Elmer Luke Moore. Yet, in a March 22 hearing, Weaver entered a guilty plea to being a bodyguard of a convicted felon and Moore pleaded guilty to being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. According to the stipulation of facts, Elmer Moore's father, Floyd Moore, was the national vice president of the Pagans Motorcycle Club and needed protection because of his dangerous position. The stipulation said Floyd Moore was a convicted felon and directed members to possess firearms for protection, since he could not carry one himself. Elmer Moore and Weaver acted as bodyguards for Floyd Moore. The original indictment charged 55 PMC members with everything from kidnapping, robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering and extortion, according to a past WOWK report. "I'm pleased that this wraps up a long and successful investigation and prosecution, where we prosecuted the president and vice president of this significant motorcycle gang," U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said in March 23 interview. "Initially, 55 defendants were charged and 16 have gone to jail out of that mix including the president and the vice president." Weaver initially faced charges of racketeering, conspiracy, conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to kidnap in aid of racketeering, obstruction of justice, use of a firearm to commit a felony and conspiracy to violate U.S. Code. Moore initially was charged with bodyguarding, aiding and abetting, obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity, carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. Weaver could face a maximum potential penalty of a five year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Elmer Moore meanwhile faces a maximum penalty of a 10 year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.