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Hells Angels Gang Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine in Exchange for Stolen Firearms

Posted by Fay Arfa | Apr 20, 2018 | 0 Comments

RIVERSIDE, California – A member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine that he provided in exchange for stolen firearms.

Brian Shane Henson, 40, of Merced, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal.

In early 2017, while he was a prospective member of the Merced Chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, Henson negotiated a deal to sell one pound of methamphetamine and four ounces of marijuana in exchange for 20 stolen firearms, according to court documents. Unbeknownst to Henson, he negotiated the deal with an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On January 25, 2017, after negotiating the deal for about one week, Henson and co-defendant Hussein Fawas Eltareb, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels, drove approximately seven hours from Merced to Needles, California to meet the undercover agent. After arriving in Needles, according to prosecutors, Henson gave the undercover agent one pound of methamphetamine and one-quarter pound of marijuana, and Henson took possession of the 20 firearms, which he placed in the trunk of Eltareb's car.

Immediately after the exchange, law enforcement officers arrested Henson and Eltareb. At this time, authorities recovered a loaded .38-caliber revolver, which was hidden next to the driver's seat in Eltareb's vehicle.

Henson pled guilty in October to distribution of methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to the mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months in federal custody.

After a bench trial in December, Judge Bernal found Eltareb, 27, of Merced, guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Bernal is scheduled to sentence Eltareb on May 21, at which time he too will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the ATF's Flagstaff, Arizona Field Office. The ATF received assistance from the Coconino County Narcotics Task Force, the Mohave County General Narcotics Task Force, and the California Highway Patrol.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay Bailey of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force and Assistant United States Attorney Roger Hsieh of the General Crimes section.

Component(s): USAO – California, Central

Contact: Thom Mrozek Spokesperson/Public Affairs Officer United States Attorney's Office Central District of California (Los Angeles) 213-894-6947

Press Release Number: 18-060Updated April 19, 2018

Central District of California DOJ / 18-060 / April 19, 2018

About the Author

Fay Arfa

Fay Arfa has the distinction of being Certified as a Specialist in two separate areas of law – Criminal Law as well as Appellate Law – by the California State Bar, Board of Specialization. The National Board of Trial Advocacy has also awarded her a board Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy. ...

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