A second defendant in the federal racketeering case involving the Road Dog Cycle shop in Denair has pled guilty.
Ray Heffington, 40, of Chowchilla entered a guilty plea on Monday to trafficking in stolen motorcycle parts. At the time of his arrest last year, Heffington was president of the Merced chapter of the Hell’s Angels.
Heffington was one of 12 men indicted last year as part of a federal racketeering case with Road Dog Cycle owner Robert Holloway as the key target. Prosecutors contend Holloway operated a criminal enterprise from his motorcycle shop, used violence and extortion to collect debts, used his store as a chop shop, and trafficked in stolen motorcycle parts. Holloway has been held in custody since his arrest in 2008. Recently his request to move into a halfway house was granted.
Heffington had originally been charged with conspiracy to operate a chop shop, conspiracy to traffic in stolen vehicle parts and operating a chop shop, according to court documents.
According to the prosecution, Heffington admitted to buying and receiving stolen motorcycle parts with altered vehicle identification numbers and delivering those parts to the Road Dog Cycle shop.
Heffington’s attorney said it was a one-time offense and that Heffington was never part of a conspiracy to operate and maintain a criminal enterprise.
Heffington will not be testifying against any of the other defendants.
Heffington is the second defendant to enter a guilty plea in the federal case. On June 8, Michael Orozco, 51, of Manteca pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means. Orozco is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Aug. 24. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Heffington will return to court on Sept. 14 for sentencing. He is facing a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
Ray Heffington, 40, of Chowchilla entered a guilty plea on Monday to trafficking in stolen motorcycle parts. At the time of his arrest last year, Heffington was president of the Merced chapter of the Hell’s Angels.
Heffington was one of 12 men indicted last year as part of a federal racketeering case with Road Dog Cycle owner Robert Holloway as the key target. Prosecutors contend Holloway operated a criminal enterprise from his motorcycle shop, used violence and extortion to collect debts, used his store as a chop shop, and trafficked in stolen motorcycle parts. Holloway has been held in custody since his arrest in 2008. Recently his request to move into a halfway house was granted.
Heffington had originally been charged with conspiracy to operate a chop shop, conspiracy to traffic in stolen vehicle parts and operating a chop shop, according to court documents.
According to the prosecution, Heffington admitted to buying and receiving stolen motorcycle parts with altered vehicle identification numbers and delivering those parts to the Road Dog Cycle shop.
Heffington’s attorney said it was a one-time offense and that Heffington was never part of a conspiracy to operate and maintain a criminal enterprise.
Heffington will not be testifying against any of the other defendants.
Heffington is the second defendant to enter a guilty plea in the federal case. On June 8, Michael Orozco, 51, of Manteca pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means. Orozco is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Aug. 24. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Heffington will return to court on Sept. 14 for sentencing. He is facing a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
