Federa judge orders Pagans president held without bond on racketeering charges

Judge orders Pagans president held in W.Va. case

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal judge has ordered the indicted national president of the Pagans Motorcycle Club held without bond pending trial on racketeering charges.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Stanley held Thursday that David Barbeito is too dangerous to free.

Barbeito pleaded not guilty at the hearing and is scheduled for trial in December. The 49-year-old Myersville, Md.-resident also faces state kidnapping and conspiracy charges in West Virginia.

Barbeito, who admits holding the club’s top spot since 1989, is the lead defendant in a 44-count indictment accusing 55 members and associates of the Pagans of murder conspiracy, kidnapping and other crimes.

Members facing charges are from West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida.