Hells Angels Plead Guilty Drug, Weapons Charges Stemmed From 1996 Raid On Biker Clubhouse

Sat., March 29, 1997

By Tom Sowa toms@spokesman.com (509) 459-5492

Two Spokane Hells Angels and a club member’s wife pleaded guilty this week to a variety of criminal charges stemming from a police raid on the group’s clubhouse in 1996.

Washington State Patrol troopers and other law officers seized more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, plus a number of weapons, when they searched the clubhouse in January 1996, authorities said.

Club member Michael Cultis, 51, was sentenced to eight months in jail for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and illegal possession of a firearm.

Club member “Moldy” Marvin Gilbert, 54, was sentenced to six months in jail for unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property. Both Gilbert and Cultis faced firearms charges because they have felony convictions on their records.

The stiffest sentence, 21 months in prison, was handed to club “associate” Forrest Heaton, 27. Heaton’s conviction was for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

An associate is a potential member of the motorcycle club who goes through a period of evaluation and testing.

“He was the one most easily proven, having the most drugs in his possession at the time,” said Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Sarah Beemer.

Gilbert’s wife, Peggy Gilbert, also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. She received a 30-day sentence that was converted to community service, Beemer said.

The arrests and search of the clubhouse occurred after police spotted a Ryder rental truck parked in the yard next to the home, at 1818 E. Third.

Record checks determined it had been reported stolen from Sturgis, S.D. months earlier.

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