::: Amish Dope Fiends ::: more options

Author: Dan Clore

Email: clore@columbia-center.org

Date: 1998/06/25

Forums: alt.chaos, alt.slack, alt.discordia, alt.illuminati,

alt.religion.kibology, alt.society.neutopia, alt.fan.rawilson

Amish Drug Dealers Arrested

The Associated Press, June 23, 1998

PHILADELPHIA (AP)-- Two Amish men have been accused of buying cocaine from

a motorcycle gang called the Pagans and then distributing it to young

members of the conservative religious sect.

"Bikes and buggies, it's a rather strange combination," Pennsylvania State

Police Maj. Robert Werts said of Tuesday's indictment of Abner Stoltzfus,

24, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 23. The men are not related.

Both men are members of the Old Order Amish, the most conservative Amish

sect. The Amish eschew automobiles, electricity, computers, fancy clothes

and most other modern conveniences. They use horse- driven buggies for

transportation. There are about 20,000 Old Order Amish in Lancaster

County, where the pair are from.

The indictment accuses the men of buying drugs from eight members of the

Pagans between 1993 and 1997. The two would then distribute the cocaine

to youth groups known as the Crickets, the Antiques and the Pilgrims at

dances.

At a press conference Tuesday, authorities painted a picture of the

motorcycle gang world, characterized by drugs and reckless behavior,

colliding with the serene, traditional lifestyle of the Pennsylvania

Amish.

"As far as I know we have never charged any (Amish) with drug crimes,"

said assistant states attorney Joseph Dominguez.

John Pyfer, who is representing Abner Stoltzfus, said the Amish are not

immune to the pressures of modern society.

"People think the Amish are sheltered from the outside world, but the

temptations are there," he said. "My client's parents are extremely

conservative--horse and buggy the whole bit. They're having a hard time

understanding this."

At the time of their indictment, the two men were participating in a

"timeout" period in which young Amish men and women explore the outside

world and decide whether to join the church. Both men intended to join,

their lawyers said.

If convicted of the charges, the pair face a maximum sentence of life in

prison.

-- ---------------------------------------------------

Dan Clore

The Website of Lord Werdgliffe:

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9879/index.html Welcome to the Waughters....

The Dan Clore Necronomicon Page:

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9879/necpage.htm Because the true mysteries

cannot be profaned....

"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!"