Former Pagans head guilty, sentenced for drug sales

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — The former reputed national president of the Pagans motorcycle gang has been found guilty of dealing drugs from his western Pennsylvania home and was immediately sentenced to 40 to 80 months in prison.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports 48-year-old Dennis Katona was convicted and sentenced Monday by a Westmoreland County judge.

State police say they found cocaine, methamphetamines and cash during a June 2011 raid of Katona’s Hempfield Township home. Police say the drugs had a street value of $20,000.

A deputy Attorney General said the Pagans are aging and unable to recruit new replacement members. He says it appears Katona was dealing the drugs “on his own. We don’t think the club was involved.”

Defense attorney Paul Boas says, “Despite the PR persona of Mr. Katona, he is a good family man.”