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Former resident chargedBy Debbie MyersGRAND RAPIDS — A former Litchfield resident will be arraigned next week on a charge of racketeering influenced corrupt organization dealing with cocaine, according to a spokeswoman from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Grand Rapids.Anthony “Tony” Gates of Grand Rapids, and formerly of Litchfield, was charged with the cocaine count Jan. 7.Gates, operations manager and disc jockey for WLAV FM AM, Grand Rapids, was charged in April 1984 in a federal indictment that claimed he, along with 39 others, took part in a cocaine and marijuana trafficking ring. On Nov. 31, 1984, a federal judged dismissed all charges alleging Gates’ involvement in drUg-related activities.According to the spokeswoman, the charge that was brought against Gates and 12 others was the result of the investigation that brought the original charges against them. “They were each involved in the case, the charge was dismissed and they were re-indicted differently,” she said. “It was the same case and evidence brought before the grand jury — maybe the wording was different,” she explained.The following nine people were also charged with racketeering influenced corrupt organization dealing with cocaine: RonaldSaurman, Christine Lark, George Knighton, Vern Bell, Rita Bell, Thomas Koryto, Daniel Chapin, Harold Beveridge, and Fred Steadman.Three men, Frank Hamilton, Thomas VanBlooys, and Ronald “Ronnie Fray” Fradgley, were charged with the racketeering influenced corrupt organization dealing with marijuana charge.The spokeswoman explained that some of those charged with racketeering could also be charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and/or cocaine.The maximum penalty for racketeering is $25,000 and/or 20 years in prison or both, she said. For possession with intent to deliver marijuana the maximum penalty is $15,000 and/or five years in prison or both; the same charge with cocaine instead of marijuana carries a maximum penalty of $25,000 and /or 15 years in prison or both.The refuted head of the western Michigan drug ring, James Carlberg, pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to a racketeering charge under an agreement that would exempt him from further prosecution. Three others, including Ms. Lark who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, also pleaded guilty to a variety of charges the same day.
Newspaper Details
Hillsdale Daily News
Hillsdale, Michigan, US
Tue, Jan 15, 1985
Page 2
Full Page
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USA 03 Sep 2019
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