Hawk decides to plead guilty to racketeering
Three more defendants in the "Operation Tradin' Paint", chop-shop and cocaine conspiracy case, have negotiated guilty pleas to federal charges. Ray Hawk, 55, Cactus Way, Newport, referred to in court documents as head of the "Hawk Organization" involving more than 20 defendants, has agreed to plead guilty to racketeering which carries with it a prison term of up to 20 years. The balance of the charges in the two indictments in which Hawk is named, will be dismissed by federal prosecutors. Hawk was charged with operating racketeering enterprises, including a chop-shop, motor vehicle thefts, interstate transport of stolen vehicles, altering vehicle numbers, insurance fraud and drug distribution, from March, 2003 till April, 2009. The defendant operated an auto salvage business under the name H-1 Auto Parts on Willis Road in Cocke County, and the name of the business was later changed to A Automotive. A search warrant executed on the property in February, 2004, revealed nine stolen vehicles at H-1 auto. A subsequent search of the premises in March, 2009 revealed 15 steering columns from stolen Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. Agents returned a month later with another search warrant to pick up the columns and airbags that were determined to have been taken from stolen vehicles. According to the plea agreement, the parties have agreed that the amount of loss resulting from Hawk's operation "was more than $1,000,000 but not more than $2,500,000." The other defendants pleading guilty are; Margie Eunavee Barnes, 45 of Newport and Roger W. Miller ,60 of Dandridge. Both have agreed to plead guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. They each face prison terms of five to forty years when they are sentenced.
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