A former member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Gang, James W. Prettyman, pleaded guilty on Mar. 12 before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays for his role in a series of armed assaults targeting rival motorcycle club members.
Prettyman, also known as “Rugby,” age 44 and from Kansas City, Missouri, admitted guilt to one count of attempt to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on Sept. 3, 2022, Prettyman and other members traveled to Topeka, Kansas intending to attack a rival gang member using either an axe handle or a gun. The group returned without carrying out the attack after an internal disagreement. Two weeks later on Sept. 17, Prettyman and others chased down a lone rival gang member in Blue Springs, Missouri. Armed with firearms and at least one axe handle, they forced the victim off the road and confronted him; ultimately the victim was shot seven times in various parts of his body.
Under federal law, Prettyman faces between five years and life in prison without parole. Sentencing will be determined by the court following completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith after investigations by several agencies including the FBI and local police departments.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force coordinates efforts among multiple federal agencies to combat criminal cartels and gangs operating within the United States.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri supports community outreach programs addressing violent crime and drug trafficking according to its official website. The office has locations in Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Springfield according to its official website, operates under the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website, handles federal prosecutions across 66 counties according to its official website, covers jurisdiction from Iowa to Arkansas borders according to its official website, and collaborates with various law enforcement partners according to its official website.
