Local man sentenced for supplying drugs to motorcycle gang leaders
PITTSBURGH, PA (WJER) (June 14, 2023) – The New Philadelphia man charged in a federal drug trafficking investigation involving a Pennyslvania-based motorcycle gang will serve more than five years in prison.
56-year-old Phillip Bonanno will spend 70 months behind bars for conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Western Pennsylvania District Court Judge Robert Coville handed down the sentence last Friday, also ordering four years of post-release supervision.
Federal prosecutors say investigators intercepted communications identifying Bonanno as a “fully patched member” of the Pagan Motorcycle Club who supplied meth to the group’s leaders. He and his nephew, 28-year-old Cody Bonanno were arrested and charged in December of 2020 alongside 28 known members and affiliates of the club that U.S. District Attorney U.S. Attorney Scott Brady called one of the largest and most violent outlaw motorcycle gangs in the country during a press conference announcing the arrests.
“The Pagan’s business is drug trafficking, and violence is the primary tool to protect that drug business. The FBI estimates there are over 1,500 members and 41 chapters nationwide.”
The Bonannos reportedly facilitated drug deals with at least three high-ranking club members at a home in New Philadelphia and also traveled to Pennsylvania for transactions. One of the buyers was Eric Armes of Pennsylvania, who received the same punishment as Phillip. Cody Bonanno ended up getting five years of supervision for his role, and two other co-defendants – Bill Rana and Dominic Quarture – are awaiting sentencing.