One-time Hells Angels cook pleads guilty

In a case of “be careful of who you cook pasta for,” a Spokane marijuana grower is facing a longer prison sentence because the case was prosecuted as a federal crime for his association with known members of the Hells Angels biker gang. Patrick D. Bozarth, Jr., 31, agreed in an agreement to plead guilty today to conspiracy to grow marijuana, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Since Bozarth has no criminal record, he likely will receive far less time in jail at his sentencing, which U.S. District Court Judge Robert Whaley set for Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. Bozarth’s attorney, Frank Cikutovich, said Bozarth is not a member of the Hells Angels, but did help Hells Angels member Michael R. Fitzpatrick, 33, with his marijuana growing operation. Fitzpatrick pleaded earlier this month to two drug charges and is likely facing about six years in prison at his sentencing in October. The only other contact Bozarth had with the biker gang, which was raided on March 3, was when Bozarth agreed to cook pasta for them one night, Cikutovich said. But that association was enough to kick the case up from state to federal, which tends to have higher prison sentences for the same level of crime, he said.