AMISH, PAGANS ARRESTED IN TWO-COUNTY DRUG RING

Cocaine, "speed' sold at weekend hoedowns here

PHILADELPHIA _ With traditional names like Stoltzfus and King, several Amish
young people were charged along with Pagan motorcycle gang members this
morning with distributing drugs throughout Lancaster and Chester counties.

This morning, state police and FBI agents swept through the two counties and
arrested suspects they say have been distributing multiple kilos of cocaine
and methamphetamine in the area for several years.

In Chester County _ it was members of the Pagan motorcycle gang, police said.

In Lancaster County _ it was members of Amish youth groups known as the
Crickets, Antiques and Pilgrims, police said.

"Bikes and buggies," Pennsylvania State Police Major Robert Werts said at a
press conference in Philadelphia this morning. "It's a rather strange
combination.

"Our drug investigations are taking us to places where years ago we didn't
think we had a problem. And we do."

In a Philadelphia press conference late this morning, federal authorities
explained how the drug ring operated:

The Chester County Pagans would obtain the drugs and sell them to Amish
people for distribution in Lancaster County at hoedowns _ a traditional
gathering dance or social for Amish and other teens and young adults. Most
hoedowns are held in barns. Younger Amish attend them before they become
formal members of the conservative church _ which usually happens in their
late teens.

"The obvious lesson here," U.S. Attorney Michael Stiles said, "is the drug
problem is everywhere. It is not limited to the mean streets of
Philadelphia. Drugs can sweep into any community," including the Plain
community of Lancaster County.

About 10 persons were arrested in charged in the raids.

They included Abner Stoltzfus, 24, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 23, both of
Gap, who, along with an Amish juvenile, were accused by authorities with
distributing the drugs.

Emory Edward Reed, president of the Chester County Pagans, was named as the
organizer and manager of the distribution process, police said.

"It was difficult to understand how two different worlds could collide,"
Special Agent Robert Conforti said. "It's something in my (26) years in the
FBI, I've never encountered before."

In addition, police charged: Dwayne "BD" L. Blank, Douglas "Juke" Hersch,
Robert "Fat Head" Reeder, Natalie King of Coatesville, Lawrence "Twisted"
Mellot, Russell Samuels and James Boyd. Home locations were not listed for
most of them.

All have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and
methamphetamine. In addition, Blank and Hersch have been charged with one
count of distribution.

The federal indictment alleges that between 1992 and 1997, members of the
Chester County Chapter of the Pagans purchased the drugs from various
sources and resold the drugs to others.

In Chester County, the drugs were sold to prospective members. The so-called
"Hang-Arounds" or "Prospects" are allowed to associate and socialize with
the Pagans, but must go through a hazing period to become full members.

Reed, Hersch and Blank, police said, allegedly distributed the cocaine to
the two Stoltzfuses. The Amish were members of youth groups called the
Crickets, Antiques and the Pilgrims.

On weekends, these Amish groups sponsored regular social gatherings, police
said, during which time the drugs were distributed.

If convicted, the defendants face penalties ranging from a minimum of five
years of supervised release to a maximum of a life sentence. They also face
fines ranging up to $4 million and possible forfeiture of all property that
resulted from illegal drug proceeds or that was used to commit the crimes.

Stiles said that both of the Amish young men "bought coke from the Pagans
and sold it to other members of the youth groups."

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett