AMISH-RAISED MEN ADMIT DRUG CHARGES

Family And Friends Show Their Support

PHILADELPHIA _ Two Lancaster County men, born and raised in Amish families,
pleaded guilty Monday to federal drug-trafficking charges stemming from
their involvement in a drug ring organized by members of the Pagan
motorcycle gang.

Wearing the traditional Amish garb of black jackets and pants, Abner
Stoltzfus, 24, of Ronks, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 23, of Gap, pleaded
guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine before Senior U.S. District
Court Judge Clarence Newcomer.

In a plea agreement worked out with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the two
men, who are not related, have agreed to cooperate fully with the
government in the case, provide information on the eight other defendants
and testify against the others if asked to by prosecutors.

The plea agreement had been worked out before the two were even indicted,
John F. Pyfer Jr., Abner Stoltzfus' defense attorney, said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Dominguez said the government will ask the
court for leniency in sentencing because the two men have cooperated fully
with prosecutors.

"They have explained their role in the conspiracy and expressed their
desire to plead guilty," Dominguez said. "They have accepted responsibility
from the beginning."

Their sentences, however, rest in Newcomer's hands. The two face up to 40
years in prison and as much as $2 million in fines. They will be sentenced
in late January or early February.

With more than 40 Amish looking on _ the men wearing black coats, the women
clad in dark gray sweaters and white bonnets _ the defendants admitted to
selling or distributing between 500 grams and two kilos of cocaine to young
Amish people at "hoedowns," which are organized by Amish youth groups, over
a three-year period ending in 1997.

The Amish, making their way out of the courthouse in Center City
Philadelphia, shielded their faces from television and newspaper
photographers. Those asked for comment offered no response.

The event proved solemn for the two defendants, who answered the judge's
questions with simple and polite responses of, "Yes, your honor." The two,
who are construction workers, eventually began to shed tears as the
45-minute proceeding wore on.

Newcomer, a former Lancaster County district attorney familiar with Amish
ways, noted the strong show of support from the defendants' families and
friends.

"It is very gratifying to know these individuals' families and peers are
supporting them in a time of trouble," the judge said. "Certainly they are
going to continue to need that support for some time to come."

Louise Stoltzfus, a local author who was raised in the Amish community but
has since left to pursue a writing career, said a sense of sorrow over the
drug use has fallen over the Amish community. She said church leaders and
parents are redoubling efforts to steer young people away from drugs.

"The Amish community is really concerned about drug use," she said. "They
are doing a lot of intentional things to keep the young people from using
drugs."

The two Amish-raised men were indicted in June along with seven members or
associates of the Pagan motorcycle gang and another unidentified Amish
juvenile, on various drug charges. The two were considered by prosecutors
to be just a small part of a major drug ring organized by Pagan members
from Chester and Lancaster counties.

In all, those charged are accused of distributing up to $1 million worth of
cocaine and methamphetamine in Lancaster and Chester counties from 1992 to
1997.

The case drew widespread attention due to the unusual association between
the Amish, known worldwide for their simple, God-fearing agrarian
traditions, and Pagan gang members, whose notoriety stems mainly from their
hard-living, outlaw image.

"It's definitely an oddity," Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Dominguez said.
"But, as this case has uncovered, there are problems in every community. No
matter how tight a community is, it can fall prey to drugs."

The defense attorneys said they were hopeful the two Amish-reared men would
receive lenient sentences from Newcomer.

Though the mandatory sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine is five
years in prison, the judge could deviate from standard sentencing if he saw
fit, said Phil Restrepo, the attorney representing Abner King Stoltzfus.

"We are hoping for a sentence under 60 months," Restrepo said. "Anything is
possible. We expect their cooperation will be considered."

Pyfer expressed the same hope.

"I think it went very well today," Pyfer said. "I appreciated the judge's
comments. I think people from Lancaster County understand the Amish and
know these men are remorseful. That is certainly the case here. Their
remorse is sincere. They never in any way denied their guilt.

"We're hopeful the judge will take this into consideration."

Of the 10 charged in the drug ring, five have pleaded guilty and five await
trial, Dominguez said.

Lawrence "Twisted" Mellott, 33, of Frazer, Robert "Fat Head" Reeder, 33, of
Coatesville, and Pagan associate James Boyd of Coatesville have also
pleaded guilty.

The other five have been scheduled for trial in December.

Emory E. Reed, 47, of Millersville, alleged to be the former leader of the
Pagans' Chester County chapter, is charged as the lead defendant in the
case and faces up to life in prison if convicted. Reed, with a long
criminal history that includes convictions for kidnapping and aggravated
assault, remains in federal prison pending trial.

Also scheduled for trial in December are Douglas "Juke" Hersh, of Ronks,
and Dwayne "BD" Blank of Gap, Natalie "Nat" King of Coatesville and Russell
Samuels of Blue Bell. They have been released on bail pending court
appearances.

Checked-by: Richard Lake