Jury Finds Pagan Motorcycle Club Members Guilty

A Washington County Court jury deliberated for just a few hours Friday, before finding two Pagan Motorcycle Club members accused of assaulting rival motorcycle club member Troy Harris, guilty. Matthew Vasquez, and Joseph Olinsky were charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and simple assault in the April 18, 2019 beating of Troy Harris at the Charleroi Slovak Club. The prosecution finished their testimony in the morning with Lt. Terry Katz, of the Maryland State Police taking the stand to describe the culture and hierarchy of the Pagans. Katz has extensive experience in surveillance, investigation and prosecution of outlaw motorcycle clubs. He testified that in his experience investigating organizations like the Pagans, acts of retribution are not carried out unless they are directed by club officers. The prosecution rested their case and afternoon testimony began with Matthew Vasquez taking the witness stand in his own defense. Vasquez testified that the reason he got involved in the assault of Harris was because he saw that Harris had a gun. He had no orders or intent to bring any harm to Harris, he was merely trying to disarm Harris. Olinsky testified that he was at the club merely following his other brothers looking to have a drink. He became involved in the scuffle merely to break it up. Assistant District Attorney Jason Walsh presented both defendants with the guilty pleas of all of the other assailants, including one where national Sergeant at Arms Michael Barringer says he ordered the assault, and asked why they are the ones that are telling the truth and everyone else went to jail by telling the opposite story.