More charges planned against biker gang
Published: May 12, 2009, 12:30 am
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Federal prosecutors say they plan to file more criminal charges — probably next week — in the case against members of the Chosen Few motorcycle gang.
And at least some of those charges reportedly will involve an aborted effort to blow up a clubhouse in Darien Center used by the Attica chapter of the Kingsmen, a rival biker gang, authorities said Monday.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce mentioned allegations about the bombing plan several times during a detention hearing for Robert “Alden Bob” Summerville, 46, of East Aurora, one of 20 Chosen Few members arrested last week.
Bruce said Summerville had 33 “improvised explosive devices” in his van Sept. 24 when state police arrested him in Lancaster. State charges in that case are pending.
Evidence from electronic surveillance of the Depewbased Chosen Few showed that club members planned to use the explosives to “blow up” the Kingsmen clubhouse in Darien Center, while the rival club’s members were there, Bruce said.
“They’re all standing out on the deck — kaboom,” Alan Segool, Chosen Few vice president, said, according to court papers.
“We believe the state police arrest of Mr. Summerville prevented the bombing,” the prosecutor said.
John J. Molloy, Summerville’s attorney, described the 33 devices as M-80 firecrackers, common in Western New York, and he added that he does not believe authorities have proof that Summerville, a laid-off railroad employee who works as a handyman, had plans to injure anyone.
“Until his arrest [last September], this man has never been in trouble,” Molloy said.
U. S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy turned down Molloy’s request that Summerville be released on bail. Bruce told the judge he anticipates filing more charges against the Chosen Few next week.
Agents from the FBI-led Safe Streets Task Force investigated the Chosen Few for about 10 months before arresting Alex Koschtschuk, 58, of Alden, the club’s leader, and 19 associates last week on racketeering conspiracy charges.
Agents said they used hidden cameras and microphones in the Chosen Few’s Depew clubhouse to observe Koschtschuk and other members talking about plans to bomb, murder and assault Kingsmen.
Koschtschuk is “a good family man and a good person in the community,” and the charges against him will be closely examined, said Paul J. Cambria, his attorney.
McCarthy scheduled a detention hearing for Thursday to determine whether Koschtschuk will be released on bail while awaiting trial. His wife, Tracy, was in court Thursday but declined to comment.
Linda Foglia, spokeswoman for the state Department of Correctional Services, said a Chosen Few defendant is considered absent without leave from his job as a corrections officer at a state prison in Orleans County. Robert Geiger, 42, of Medina, “isn’t being paid, and he’s locked out of the facility,” she said.
Geiger, one of the defendants charged with racketeering conspiracy, was hired by the state in 1992 and makes a yearly salary of $55,718, she said.
“I certainly hope to help him salvage his job,” said Lawrence
J. Desiderio, Geiger’s attorney.
Geiger was released without bail late Monday afternoon.
dherbeck@buffnews.com
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