Alleged Hells Angel among four arrested on drug charges

By CAITLIN ANDREWS

Monitor staff

Published: 06-10-2017 12:07 AM

Two alleged motorcycle club members, including a Hells Angels member, are among four New Hampshire men arrested recently on federal drug trafficking charges following an investigation officials say spanned several years.

James Cunningham, 60, of Laconia is an alleged Hells Angels member and has been charged with distributing and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Harold Shaw, a special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston division, called the club “one of the most notorious biker gangs in the United States,” who often use violence and intimidation to protect their “turf.”

“As alleged, this investigation revealed that a Hells Angel member engaged in the distribution of drugs in New Hampshire,” Shaw said in the press release.

Harry Bolton, 63, of Weare, who is believed to be the president of the Milford & Company Motorcycle Club, was arrested on May 8 and has been charged with distributing and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Kenneth Bailey, 52, of Weare was arrested Friday and charged with distributing and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

Timothy Raxter, 52, of Tilton was arrested Friday and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to U.S. Federal Court documents, the Federal Bureau of Investigations used a confidential human source, labeled in each complaint as CHS #1 to schedule and conduct controlled drug purchases with Cunningham, Bolton and Bailey. It’s unclear if CHS #1 was used in all three arrests, but each complaint notes the source began working with the FBI in February 2012 – the CHS’s first purchase occurred in October 2012 – and was paid $19,000 by the FBI.

CHS #1 was also noted to have cooperated with law enforcement during previous investigations and has a criminal history of the following crimes: witness tampering; simple assault; criminal threatening; disorderly conduct; resisting arrest or detention; issuing bad checks and computer crimes, according to court documents.

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During the course of the investigation, CHS #1 made the following purchases:

26.6 grams of “ice” methamphetamine – defined as being more than 80 percent pure by the United States Sentencing Commission – from Cunningham from May 23, 2013 to Nov. 20, 2013.

62.6 grams of methamphetamine and 20.9 grams of cocaine from Bailey from Aug. 29, 2013 to Jan. 30, 2014.

153.8 grams of cocaine from Bolton from Oc. 5, 2012 to Aug. 19, 2015.

Raxter’s arrest is different, as it stems from a domestic violence complaint made against him on Jan. 22. According to court documents, Laconia police responded to a reported assault called in by Raxter’s girlfriend. She accused Raxter of smashing her belongings, pushing her to the floor, striking her in the face and injuring her right finger during the course of an argument. She stated she had seen Raxter with a black handgun, which he was not allowed to possess due to a previous controlled drug possession conviction. The girlfriend then stated Raxter kept drugs and money in a Crown Royal bag in his car.

Raxter walked into the Laconia police station the next day and was charged with domestic violence, simple assault and criminal mischief charges. Police later obtained a search warrant and impounded Raxter’s vehicle. As a result of the search, police seized $4,360 as well as 10.8 grams of methamphetamine.

It’s unclear whether there is any connection between the four men, as officials with the department of justice declined to comment.

Each drug charge is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million, according to the press release. The maximum penalty for the firearms charge against Raxter is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The four men were expected to be arraigned Friday in Concord’s federal court.

(Caitlin Andrews can be reached at 369-3309, candrews@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @ActualCAndrews.)

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