Road Dog case now with jury

A federal jury is considering the case for the three remaining defendants in the Road Dog Cycle racketeering case.

A trial began a week ago in U.S. District Court in Fresno for Gary Ermoian, Dave Swanson and Steven Johnson. The three face federal charges of conspiracy, making false statements and perjury.

The case went to the jury Thursday afternoon, according to attorney Robert Forkner, who represents Swanson.

The main target in the case, Road Dog owner Bob Holloway, pleaded guilty to a single charge in June. Two other men, including Holloway's son, also entered guilty pleas in June. Brent F. Holloway, 36, also of Turlock, pleaded guilty to trafficking in stolen motorcycle parts. Anthony D. Fantacone, 68, of Boiling Springs, S.C., pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of blackmail.

Other defendants in the original July 2008 indictment:

• Raul DeLeon, a former Stanislaus County sheriff's captain accused of conspiring with Holloway, was acquitted by a federal jury in May 2009.

• Michael J. Orozco, a Manteca motorcycle club leader, pleaded guilty in June 2009 to one count of conspiracy to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means. He was released from custody in November.

• Ray Heffington pleaded guilty to trafficking in stolen vehicle parts in June 2009. He was released from the Fresno County jail in August.

• Reynaldo Sotelo pleaded guilty to conspiring with Holloway to traffic in stolen motor vehicle parts in July 2009. He was expected to serve home detention.