News (Media Awareness Project) - US PA: Amish Men Get Jail Time For Selling Drugs To Youths |
| Title: | US PA: Amish Men Get Jail Time For Selling Drugs To Youths |
| Published On: | 1999-07-02 |
| Source: | Houston Chronicle (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 02:49:06 |
AMISH MEN GET JAIL TIME FOR SELLING DRUGS TO YOUTHS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Two Amish men received a year in prison Wednesday for
buying cocaine from bikers and selling it among youth groups in their
strict religious community.
Abner Stoltzfus, 25, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 24, Lancaster County men who
are not related, are members of the Old Order Amish, the most conservative
Anabaptist sect.
They eschew automobiles, electricity, computers, fancy clothes and most
other modern conveniences, and use horse-driven buggies for transportation.
"These defendants ... were responsible for bringing disrepute to
themselves, their families and their community," U.S. District Judge
Clarence C. Newcomer said.
Nearly 200 Amish, some holding babies, packed the courtroom and hallway
outside. All were clad in traditional Amish dress -- women in dark smocks
and white bonnets, men in suspenders and straw hats. As Newcomer read the
sentences, many wept quietly.
Both men apologized to the judge and said they have turned their lives
around since their arrest in June 1998, returning to their religious roots
and spreading the word in the Amish community about the dangers of drugs.
"When I was a teen-ager, I got with the wrong crowd. I've changed my life
around (and) gave my heart and soul to God," Abner Stoltzfus said. "I
apologize deep from the bottom of my heart."
Newcomer said he appreciated the men's cooperation with investigators --
they wore recording devices in their hats during discussions with Pagans
motorcycle gang members. But the judge said he had to send a message about
the severity of the men's actions.
Prosecutors said the men purchased $100,000 worth of cocaine from members
of the Pagans between 1992 and 1997, then sold the drugs at hoedowns for
the Crickets, the Antiques and the Pilgrims youth groups.
The men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver cocaine and could have
received up to four years in prison.
On Tuesday, seven people connected with the Pagans were sentenced, most to
four or five years in prison, for their roles in the drug ring.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Two Amish men received a year in prison Wednesday for
buying cocaine from bikers and selling it among youth groups in their
strict religious community.
Abner Stoltzfus, 25, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 24, Lancaster County men who
are not related, are members of the Old Order Amish, the most conservative
Anabaptist sect.
They eschew automobiles, electricity, computers, fancy clothes and most
other modern conveniences, and use horse-driven buggies for transportation.
"These defendants ... were responsible for bringing disrepute to
themselves, their families and their community," U.S. District Judge
Clarence C. Newcomer said.
Nearly 200 Amish, some holding babies, packed the courtroom and hallway
outside. All were clad in traditional Amish dress -- women in dark smocks
and white bonnets, men in suspenders and straw hats. As Newcomer read the
sentences, many wept quietly.
Both men apologized to the judge and said they have turned their lives
around since their arrest in June 1998, returning to their religious roots
and spreading the word in the Amish community about the dangers of drugs.
"When I was a teen-ager, I got with the wrong crowd. I've changed my life
around (and) gave my heart and soul to God," Abner Stoltzfus said. "I
apologize deep from the bottom of my heart."
Newcomer said he appreciated the men's cooperation with investigators --
they wore recording devices in their hats during discussions with Pagans
motorcycle gang members. But the judge said he had to send a message about
the severity of the men's actions.
Prosecutors said the men purchased $100,000 worth of cocaine from members
of the Pagans between 1992 and 1997, then sold the drugs at hoedowns for
the Crickets, the Antiques and the Pilgrims youth groups.
The men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver cocaine and could have
received up to four years in prison.
On Tuesday, seven people connected with the Pagans were sentenced, most to
four or five years in prison, for their roles in the drug ring.
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