Former Hells Angels Recruit Avoids Intimidation Charge

Sat., May 3, 1997

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

A Spokane man originally charged with intimidating a county prosecutor pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser crime and received a suspended jail sentence.

Michael Wooster, 40, was one of four men associated with the Hells Angels motorcycle club charged last year with intimidation.

The four men were tried last fall on charges stemming from a March 1996 incident in a downtown lounge. Police say the men glared and made nonverbal threats toward County Deputy Prosecutor David Hearrean and his wife, Carole.

Hearrean at the time was preparing to prosecute another Spokane Hells Angel, Timothy Myers, on a murder charge.

At one point that evening, police said, Wooster sat down next to Hearrean, allegedly preventing him from leaving.

The four men insisted that no intimidation had occurred.

Charges against two of the four men were dismissed at trial. A jury mistrial left Wooster and Hells Angel Michael Cultis, 51, facing a second trial for the alleged intimidation.

When the incident occurred, Wooster was a gang “prospect” - a would-be club member going through probation. Club members later said he was no longer a prospect.

Cultis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in March, receiving a 90-day sentence, with 88 days suspended.

This week, Wooster pleaded guilty to attempted stalking, a gross misdemeanor.

Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor sentenced him to 100 days in jail, giving him credit for 27 days served and suspending the rest.

He was ordered to pay $210 in court costs, serve a year’s probation and avoid contact with the Hearrean family.

“We’re hoping this gives us some closure and that they’ll leave us alone and move on to other business,” said Carole Hearrean after the sentencing.

Since last year, she said her family has received numerous late night phone calls, some with direct threats, others with just the sound of someone breathing.

On several occasions, men on motorcycles would follow her car while she was driving to or from work.

She quit a job after the company that employed her received a bomb threat, she said.

Assistant City Attorney Rocco Treppiedi said not getting convictions for the original charges is not a defeat for area law enforcement.

“This (alleged intimidation) was a serious incident and needed to be dealt with by the court,” Treppiedi said.

, DataTimes

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