The son of a Chosen Few motorcycle club leader was found guilty Thursday of threatening a witness in the racketeering case against his father.

Chad Koschuk, 23, of Alden, was accused of threatening to forcibly sodomize a witness who provided information to the FBI and testified before a grand jury about his father, according to U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr.

His father, Alex Koschtschuk, 58, of Alden, is the jailed former president of the Chosen Few.

About 20 members of the gang, the subject of a federal crackdown that began in May 2009, face charges ranging from racketeering and weapons possession to arson and assault.

Koschuk, who was prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys Anthony M. Bruce and Russell T. Ippolito, faces about 4 1/2 years in jail.

Hochul said Koschuk's threat against the government's witness took place during a chance meeting in September 2009 at an Alden convenience store.

During the trial this week, defense lawyers argued that threats were made by the witness against Koschuk and other members of his family.

The conviction was the result of an FBI investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson.

pfairbanks@buffnews.comnull