Judge sends pair to prison in 2008 biker brawl

After more than six years, the last of 13 men were sent to prison Tuesday for their roles in bludgeoning three Hells Angels rivals and three other people outside a downtown Las Vegas wedding chapel.

Earlier this year, John Merchant, 55, and James Sexey, 48, admitted to coercion and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm with the intent to promote, further or assist the activities of a criminal gang in connection with the December 2008 brawl at A Special Memory Wedding Chapel on Fourth Street and Gass Avenue.

In handing down a two-to-10 year sentence for each, District Judge Kenneth Cory admonished them about the biker gang lifestyle.

“Whatever you guys think you’re doing, palling around with the Hells Angels,” the judge said, “there’s nothing but grief that will come to you. And that’s because of the conduct of not just the Hells Angels, but the Mongols, the whole bunch.”

Authorities have said the melee injured at least six people, including three Mongols, two of whom were stabbed.

It’s unclear if Merchant and Sexey are still members of the motorcycle gang.

“I would certainly hope that you’re able to put this behind you,” Cory said. “We cannot put up with criminal gangs who choose to fight it out among each other in public places.”

Sexey tried to have his sentencing postponed, saying he needed back surgery, but the judge said the case had lin- gered long enough.

In all, 13 men were charged in the wake of the melee, which came as the Hells Angels were leaving a wedding ceremony of their own and saw three Mongols at the chapel for another wedding.

The 13 men attacked the Mongols, hitting them with their fists, feet, bottles and trash cans. Prosecutors called it an unprovoked attack. Defense lawyers had said their clients acted in self-defense because Mongols had months earlier attacked and killed a Hells Angel in San Francisco.

One of the defendants, John Dawson, has since died. He had pleaded guilty to battery charges prior to his death. Others have pleaded guilty. Some have been sentenced to prison, others to probation. Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Follow @randompoker on Twitter.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL