Maui man cut gang ties 4 years ago, judge is told

A Maui man charged with federal racketeering crimes in connection with an international motorcycle gang cut ties with the gang four years ago, his lawyer told a federal judge in U.S. District Court on Wednesday.

Federal law enforcement officials arrested Edward Claridad Chelby on June 16, two days after a federal grand jury in Nevada indicted him and 22 other alleged members or associates of the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang on racketeering, firearm, drug trafficking and motorcycle theft charges.

At Chelby’s bail hearing Wednesday, the federal prosecutor asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang to order Chelby held in custody without the opportunity for release on bail pending his transfer to Nevada.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Ayabe had argued that Chelby is a flight risk because one of the charges against him carries a maximum life prison term. She also said he is a danger to the community because the crimes involve violence.Ayabe said the victim suffered a broken nose and permanent injury to his left eye.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Craig Jerome told Chang that Chelby severed ties with Vagos after he was extradited to Nevada in 2013 and has taken steps to cover up his gang tattoos.

Chang denied the prosecution’s request and ordered Chelby released on $50,000 signature bond co-signed by his wife. He also ordered Chelby to appear in Nevada District Court on Wednesday.

The indictment charges Chelby, 57, also known as “Recon,” with conspiring to participate in a criminal enterprise, kidnapping and assaulting someone to further the criminal enterprise. The alleged kidnapping and assault happened Jan. 25, 2013, in the restroom of a Las Vegas restaurant.

Chelby, who had worked at Cycle City Hawaii, was living in Aiea when he was arrested in June 2013 and later extradited to Nevada to face state charges in connection with the Las Vegas restaurant incident.

Victor Adam Ramirez, who is also charged in this month’s indictment with assault and kidnapping in connection with the Las Vegas incident, and the alleged victim, Donald Dussell, were also arrested in June 2013 for extradition to Nevada. Ramirez, 33, was arrested in Wahiawa, and Dussell in Laie.

According to Nevada court records, Chelby, Ramirez and Dussell were charged with felony battery and coercion to promote or assist a criminal gang and misdemeanor battery and false imprisonment. The charges against Ramirez and Dussell are still pending, but the Nevada prosecutor has filed papers to dismiss them.

Chelby pleaded guilty in August 2013 to misdemeanor conspiracy to commit battery in a plea deal and was sentenced to 45 days in jail.