News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2003

Ku Klux Klan Motorcycle Club Member Sentenced and Arizona Based Supplier of Methamphetamine Convicted of Conspiracy Charges

Concord, New Hampshire: Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; New Hampshire Attorney General Peter Heed; New Hampshire Drug Task Force Commander James Norris and Chairman William Fenniman; New Hampshire State Police Colonel Gary Sloper and United States Attorney Tom Colantuono announced that a member of the Northern New England-based Ku Klux Klan Motorcycle Club, James Michael COYNE, dob: 11/19/59, of Laconia, New Hampshire was sentenced on July 1, 2003, on federal narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and weapons charges.

On November 20, 2002, COYNE entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and laundering the proceeds of drug trafficking. COYNE admitted to conspiring to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine from a source in Phoenix, Arizona, transporting the methamphetamine to New Hampshire and Maine, and distributing the methamphetamine in New Hampshire and Maine during 2001 and 2002. Specifically, COYNE and fellow KKK Motorcycle Club member Carroll LANE traveled to Phoenix, Arizona every 30 to 90 days during 2001 and 2002, purchased crystal methamphetamine in quantities of 2-5 pounds per trip and would transport the drugs back to Northern New England via automobile and commercial airplane, for distribution to customers.

Judge Barbadoro sentenced COYNE to 151 months (12 ½ years) imprisonment, followed by a three-year period of supervised release, during which his behavior will be monitored by the U.S. Department of Probation.

In a related case, Todd MAGGARD, the Arizona-based methamphetamine supplier for the Ku Klux Klan Motorcycle Club in 2001 and 2002, was convicted on July 1, 2003 of conspiring with COYNE and LANE to distribute methamphetamine in the State of New Hampshire.

MAGGARD entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to an Information charging him with conspiring with Ku Klux Motorcycle Club members LANE and COYNE to distribute crystal methamphetamine between January, 2001 and September, 2002. MAGGARD supplied Carol LANE with 5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine seized from LANE's vehicle at the time of his June, 2002 arrest near Flagstaff, Arizona. In entering his plea, he admitted to supplying LANE and COYNE with methamphetamine for distribution in northern New England over the course of the conspiracy. MAGGARD was detained without bail by Judge MaAuliffe pending his October 3, 2003 sentencing hearing. MAGGARD faces a potential sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

"The 12 ½ year sentence imposed on James Michael COYNE, and the conviction of Todd MAGGARD, are indicative of the threat their criminal activity posed to the people of New Hampshire," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Trouville. "We are gratified to see our OCDETF program bring individuals like COYNE and MAGGARD to justice, reducing the flow of crystal methamphetamine into New Hampshire."

The convictions were the result of a year-long investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force, and the Special Investigations Unit of the New Hampshire State Police, which focuses in part on the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the State of New Hampshire. During the investigation, DEA agents seized over seven pounds of 80% pure crystal methamphetamine, also know as "crystal meth," "glass," and "ice," over 25 firearms including handguns, assault and conventional rifles, and shotguns, approximately $40,000 in cash, a 2002, custom built motorcycle, Ku Klux Klan Motorcycle Club "colors" (gang insignia) and assorted "pro-white" and other Ku Klux Klan propaganda. Also assisting in the investigation were the DEA's Portland, Maine and Phoenix Arizona offices, the Maine (State) Drug Enforcement Agency, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the United States Attorney's Offices in the District of Phoenix, AZ and Portland, ME and the police departments of Laconia, NH and Wells, ME.

Press Contact S/A Anthony Pettigrew, 617-557-2138