Plea deal in Hells Angel drug case

A member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and grow more than 100 marijuana plants.

Michael R. Fitzpatrick, 33, was arrested on March 3, the same day federal agents raided the purported Hells Angels clubhouse at 1308 E. Sprague Ave. and arrested Ricky W. Jenks, sergeant-at-arms for the Hells Angels’ Washington chapter.

Fitzpatrick was indicted on federal drug charges in April and was due to go to trial on Monday, but agreed to the plea deal through his attorney, Christian Phelps, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aine Ahmed.

“I sold 475 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant,” Fitzpatrick told U.S. District Judge Robert Whaley. “In addition to that, I was involved in growing marijuana.”

Phelps also explained that a second defendant was arrested with more than 27 grams of cocaine that he said he obtained from Fitzpatrick.

A felon in possession of a firearm charge was dropped as part of the agreement. Fitzpatrick had faced up to 40 years in prison, but attorneys for both sides agreed upon a sentencing recommendation of 6 ½ years in federal prison. Whaley scheduled the sentencing hearing to occur on Oct. 27.

When asked after the hearing whether the plea agreement also included Fitzpatrick’s testimony against Jenks, Phelps said: “Absolutely not. There is no cooperation agreement at all.”

Jenks, also 33, faces a charge of felon in the possession of a firearm. His trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 8.