TWO AMISH MEN ACCUSED OF COCAINE DEALS WITH MOTORCYCLE GANG

Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania yesterday accused two Amish men of
buying cocaine from a gang called the Pagan Motorcycle Club and
distributing the drug to other young members of the religious group at
parties known as "hoedowns."

"We've seen plenty of underage drinking cases but a drug case is unheard
of" among the Amish, said John Pyfer, who is representing Abner Stoltzfus,
24. The other defendant is Abner King Stoltzfus, 23, who is no relation.

The case in Lancaster County underscores the vulnerability of the Amish,
who have seen suburban development and tourism encroach on their once
secluded lives. The suburbanites and the gawkers have made it difficult for
the Amish to close their eyes to what they consider the corrupting
influences of modernity. Members of the sect do not have electricity or
plumbing in their homes, and still make their way around the county in
horse-drawn buggies. The two men accused belong to the most conservative
Amish sect, the Old Order Amish.

Most work as farmers or craftsmen, and do not stray far from their homes.
Abner Stoltzfus worked as a roofer, Pyfer said, and met Pagan members on
his work trips outside Lancaster.

The two men were indicted yesterday on charges of participating in a
conspiracy to distribute more than $1 million worth of cocaine and
methamphetamine. Federal prosecutors placed most of the blame on eight
members of the motorcycle gang, who were described as reckless and violent.
Emory Edward Reed, president of the Pagans' Chester County chapter, broke
one of the defendant's legs with an ax handle when he refused an order, and
knocked out the other defendant's teeth when he failed to pay on time.

While members of the biker gang were known as habitual lawbreakers, no one
from the Amish had ever been involved in such serious criminal activity,
attorneys said. The two Amish men allegedly bought the drugs from gang
members between 1992 and 1997 and distributed them at parties of youth
groups known as the Antiques, the Crickets and the Pilgrims. A juvenile
identified only as CS also participated in the conspiracy, according to
prosecutors, but was not charged in the indictment.

Pyfer said "it was pretty clear" his client had been addicted to cocaine,
although he no longer is. No date has been set for the arraignment, but
Pyfer said his client would plead not guilty.

During the five years the two men were allegedly distributing cocaine, they
were participating in an Amish rite of passage translated loosely in
English as "sowing your wild oats," said Pyfer. Amish men between the ages
of 16 and 24 take a long break from the rigid rules of the community to
decide if they want to opt out. During the break, the men drink and drive
"bright, gaudy cars," said Pyfer, while "their parents are looking the
other way." Taking drugs is not an accepted part of that rite, however.

Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)