Jury clears Hells Angels in casino fight

Three members of the Sonoma County chapter are not guilty of the most serious charges in the 2011 brawl|
PAUL PAYNE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Lake County jurors acquitted three members of the Hells Angels Sonoma County chapter of felony assault and gang charges stemming from a 2011 fight with a rival group, lawyers said.

Joshua Leo Johnson, 38, the chapter’s vice president, was cleared of all charges Wednesday in the brawl at Konocti Vista Casino, defense attorney Jai Gohel said.

Jurors found two other Hells Angels, Nicolas Felipe Carillo, 35, and Timothy Robert Bianchi, 36, guilty of misdemeanor assault charges, Gohel said.

The panel rejected a standalone gang allegation but hung on a related enhancement, Gohel said.

Gohel said his client, Bianchi, faced 10 years in prison if he had been convicted as charged. Now, he could get up to a year in jail, Gohel said.

The men were charged in the beating of two rival gang members during a tattoo convention at the casino.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.

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