FEDS KEEP SEIZED HARLEYS IN GOOD SHAPE FOR ANGELS

What a job!

Those Harley-Davidson motorcycles seized during drug raids last December
have to stay in working order in case a judge orders them returned to the
Hells Angels. And that job falls to a federal government employee who,
every now and then, has to put the key in the ignition and fire up the engine.

Government workers must also check on the Dutch Village Road clubhouse, to
make sure it's not falling apart, in case that gets handed back to the
bikers, too.

"If, from time to time, a vehicle needs to be turned on, or somebody's
property needs to be checked on from time to time to ensure it's not in
dangerous repair," there is a government department to make sure it's done,
said Glenn Chamberlain, regional communications director for the federal
Justice Department.

Five members of the outlaw motorcycle gang were in court this week to
change their plea on charges related to the predawn raids that netted
police 20 arrests.

They each pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking charge. In exchange, charges
of belonging to a criminal organization are expected to be dropped when
they 're sentenced in January.

When police swooped in last year, they seized the red neon sign outside the
gang's Fairview clubhouse, along with the building, money, weapons and
motorcycles.

The property has to be maintained in case a judge hands it back to the
Angels when the case wraps up next year.

"Property, for example, is not something you can just put a lock on and
walk away, so maintenance has to be done," Chamberlain said. "Public Works
Government Services Canada has a directorate that maintains and holds, for
the time being, seized assets."

Other assets that are viewed as evidence, such as guns, drug equipment or
cash, is held by the police.

Government Services refused to tell The Sunday Daily News where the items
are being kept, and declined an interview with the employees who take care
of the motorbikes and oversee the clubhouse.

One Angels associate, Devin James Skeard, was sentenced last week to 32
months in jail on one court of trafficking ecstasy and one charge of
illegally possessing a firearm.

Chamberlain said Skeard won't get the gun back, but a vehicle seized at the
time will eventually be returned. "It was not felt it was used in the
commission of a crime; that will be returned." But because Skeard will
spend the coming months in jail, the vehicle will go to a third party until
he gets out. Under the government's own legislation, it must be returned to
Skeard in the same condition it was in when it was seized.