National Leader of Pagans Motorcycle Gang faces decade in prison

The national leader of the outlaw motorcycle gang, the Pagans, is looking at spending a decade behind bars for an activity the gang has been notorious for over the years.

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Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced on Wednesday that Keith Richter, who also goes by the nickname “Conan,” 62, of Bay Shore, New York, plead guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

His recent run-in with the law came earlier this year when on February 20, 2021, the Pagans had a get-together party in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and when Richter was heading back home to Suffolk County, New York, Honig said that police pulled him over in Mercer County, New Jersey.

When officers had Richter pulled over, they found a loaded Ruger P345 .45 caliber handgun from a front-seat compartment in the vehicle.

So, they then obtained a warrant for his arrest, executed nearly a week later.

Honig said that Richter has been previously convicted of felony offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, for which he served sixteen-years in prison.

His latest offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

He'll be sentenced on December 3, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said that this particular case is also part of 'Project Guardian', which is "the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws."

"Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensured that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities."

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Frazer, R. Joseph Gribko, and Samantha C. Fasanello, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

Defense counsel: James R. Froccaro, Jr., Esq., Port Washington, New York.