James Vernon Hoback, 43, an auto mechanic from Pilot, Va., known as "Timex," admitted in federal court Tuesday that he helped others take military grade C4 and two hand grenades across state lines to Princeton, W.Va.The explosives were part of a stockpile of weapons to be used in an ongoing war against the Hell's Angels, a rival motorcycle gang that had a longstanding turf war with the Pagans, according to a stipulation of facts filed as part of Hoback's plea.Hoback was one of 55 defendants named in a sweeping 44-count indictment unsealed last month in Charleston. Prosecutors allege that the Pagans and affiliated motorcycle gangs used violence and intimidation to control a criminal organization that operated from New Jersey to Florida.Several Pagans, including national president David K. "Bart" Barbeito, 49, of Myersville, Md., and Floyd B. "Jessie" Moore, 64, of St. Albans, face racketeering charges for allegedly trying to strong-arm members of smaller clubs into following orders from the Pagans' governing body, or "Mother Club."
Other counts accuse gang members and associates of kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder for conspiring to kill an incarcerated member of the Pagans whom they believed was cooperating with law enforcement. The indictment also alleges that proceeds from illegal raffles -- purportedly for non-existent motorcycles -- were funneled into the criminal enterprise.According to Hoback's stipulation, Charles H. "Tombstone Charlie" Nichols, of Roanoke, Va., obtained the explosives and gave them to Hoback, who in turn gave them to Richard Howard Leslie "Reverse" Smith. Smith, 58, also of Roanoke, Va., took the C4 and hand grenades to Ronnie Howerton, a member of the Pagans who was known to be collecting weapons to use against the Hell's Angels, in Princeton, the stipulation states.
"Hoback helped transfer the explosives to Howerton with the intent that the explosives would be used to kill, injure or intimidate another individual," the stipulation states.Although Smith and Nichols were named in the indictment, Howerton was not.Nichols died last month while in custody at the South Central Regional Jail. Authorities said Nichols died from complications from previous medical conditions.Hoback faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston on March 8.