The last two defendants in a years-long FBI investigation of criminal activity by motorcycle gangs in north Georgia have been sentenced.
Walt Verrill, a member of the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club, and Tony Parrott, an affiliate of the club, were sentenced for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, the FBI said in a statement.
Verrill, 50, of Sautee Nacoochee, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
Parrott, 38, of Ellijay, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
“These sentencings close a comprehensive investigation into drug trafficking and illegal gun and explosives offenses by members of motorcycle gangs operating in north Georgia,” acting U.S. attorney John Horn said.
The FBI began in 2010 to investigate allegations that members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club, the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club, and other motorcycle clubs were involved in various criminal activities, including drug distribution and illegal firearms and explosives offenses, according to Horn and court records. An undercover agent posed as a Florida drug dealer looking to expand into north Georgia. He was introduced to members of the motorcycle clubs by a club member who was working as an informant for the FBI.
The agent conducted actual and fake drug deals in which he either bought methamphetamine from motorcycle club members or recruited club members to assist him in moving what they were led to believe were large amounts of methamphetamine or cocaine from north Georgia to Tennessee. The agent also obtained firearms from convicted felons and talked to the defendants about making an unregistered explosive device for him.
In July 2012, the FBI learned that members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club suspected that one of the informants was working for the FBI, and the undercover investigation was halted.
In August 2012, 22 defendants were arrested on drug, firearms, and obstruction of justice charges. Six other defendants were arrested later. Since then, 20 defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges, two defendants were convicted after jury trials, and five defendants were acquitted at trial. One defendant, David Rizo-Troncoso, fled after he was released on bond. He remains a fugitive.
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