Four members of a motorcycle club allegedly threatened to harm a Franklin County man and his family at a convenience store Sunday afternoon, then showed up at the man’s house a short time later while police were there interviewing him about the incident.
A misdemeanor count each of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct-engaging in fighting, among other charges, were filed against each man through Magisterial District Judge Glenn Manns’ office in Chambersburg, according to court records.
An unidentified man told authorities that multiple members of the Pagan’s Outlaw Motorcycle Club had threatened “bodily harm” to both him and his family while he was at Rutter’s on Lincoln Way West in St. Thomas Township around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Pennsylvania State Police wrote in charging documents. They also threatened to hurt the family at their home, the man said.
He said he “feared for his safety” after receiving threats inside and outside the store, according to court documents.
While police were at the man’s home conducting an interview less than two hours later, four men showed up in a pickup truck. Police identified them as Frank Bleacher of Lancaster, Troy Farner of Shippensburg, Daniel Gentry of Waynesboro and Jeffrey Tennant of Gap in Lancaster County.
Police said the men are known to be members of the Pagan’s Outlaw Motorcycle Club, the group is one of the “big five” motorcycle gangs in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. With chapters throughout the Four-State area and surrounding region, the Pagans “claim the entire East Coast as their dominion.” They have ties to organized crime and participate in drug distribution.
Police searched each man. Farner and Gentry both had pipes used for ingesting drugs, and Gentry also had a small amount of suspected crystal meth. Tennant was carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, according to court documents.
The three men were charged with misdemeanors in connection with the illegal items, in addition to the other charges.
All four defendants posted $25,000 bail by Monday. They are scheduled for preliminary hearings at 8:15 am. Tuesday in Franklin County Central Court.