Batavia man admits to meth distribution charge in federal court
A 57-year-old Batavia man has entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court to a drug distribution charge stemming from an investigation going back years and involving multiple individuals from Genesee County and Rochester who authorities say are associated with the Hells Angels.
Gordon L. Montgomery entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a fine of $2,000,000, or both.
Authorities contend that Montgomery agreed to fly to California and obtain methamphetamine from a Hell's Angels leader in Monterey at the behest of James H. McAuley and his wife, Donna Boon, both Genesee County residents at the time. He reportedly made two trips in 2007 paid for by McAuley and Boon, returning to WNY with 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine on the two trips.
The names of McAuley and Boon have come up in several local criminal investigations going back to 2010, when Boon was arrested as part of a multi-agency, months-long investigation into the sale of meth in Genesee County. As a result of that investigation, Donald G. Vanelli II, of Le Roy, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison.
Boon's name has come up in connection with other investigations since then and McAuley was allegedly involved in events in Rochester that led to racketeering changes against him and several associates. That indictment charges McAuley and reputed Rochester Hell's Angels member Robert W. Moran Jr., along with Gina Tata, both of Rochester, with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity; and McAuley, Moran and Tata are charged with conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity. In addition, Tata is charged with being an accessory after the fact to the assault and conspiracy.
Another defendant, Timothy M. Stone, of Gates, was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to the assault and conspiracy on July 6. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Siragusa on Friday (Feb. 5).
