Two admit roles in alleged assault at Pagans clubhouse in Williamstown

CAMDEN, NJ – Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club.

Nicholas “Lefty” Marino, 76, and Anthony “Fugit” D’Alessandro, 55, were accused of assisting in an August 2020 attack at a Pagans clubhouse.

The assault victim, whose name was not disclosed, had alerted investigators in July 2020 that he’d been asked to store guns and ammunition by another suspect in the case, Michael “Cage” Dorazo of  Gloucester City, a criminal complaint alleges.

The victim allowed investigators to seize the weapons without the Pagans’ knowledge. The cache included an “AR-15 style” ghost gun, a shotgun, and almost 1,800 rounds of ammunition, according to the federal prosecutor's office, which describes the Pagans as an "outlaw motorcycle gang."

The victim told the Pagans he’d sold the guns for $5,000 and turned over that amount of money, which was provided by federal investigators, to Dorazo, the complaint alleges. He later gave another $4,000 to Dorazo after being told the Pagans were unhappy with the purported gun sale, the complaint says.

It alleges the assault occurred after the man arrived for a meeting at a clubhouse on Marino's property in Williamstown. Marino and D’Alessandro ordered the man to give up his cell phone, then used a handheld device to ensure he had not concealed any electronic devices, the complaint says.

It alleges another Pagan, Nicholas “Booch” Bucciarelli of Brooklawn, then entered the clubhouse, struck the victim with an ax handle and pointed a gun at the man. The victim was ordered to call the buyer of the guns, who was actually a federal investigator, and to request an update on the weapons, the complaint alleges.

The investigator, “understanding that he was on speaker and that members of the (Pagans) might be listening to their conversation, remained in his undercover persona throughout the conversation,” says the complaint. The victim eventually was allowed to leave the clubhouse.

The federal prosecutor’s office alleges Marino and D’Alessandro were the president and sergeant at arms, respectively, for the Pagans’ chapter in Gloucester County chapter. Marino and D’Alessandro pleaded guilty at separate hearings in Camden federal court on Jan. 24 and Jan. 27. Each admitted to aiding and abetting in the assault of a victim with a dangerous weapon.

The crimes were committed “for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Pagans' Motorcycle Club,” according to plea agreements. Each man agreed to surrender his interest in two baseball bats and six ax handles seized in September 2020.

Marino also agreed to surrender his interest in one gun, while D’Alessando is to forfeit ownership of 11 weapons, their agreements say.
Dorazo admitted guilt in December 2021 to possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

U.S. District Court Judge Noel L. Hillman has scheduled sentencing for Dorazo on April 4. The judge is to sentence Marino on May 26 and D’Alessandro on June 1.

Bucciarelli has pleaded not guilty to charges that include assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges against Bucciarelli are only allegations. He has not been convicted of any crimes in this case.