PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A fourth member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from last fall’s shootout with a rival gang in a West Norriton Wawa parking lot.
Erik Rosenberger, 46, of East Greenville, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy. Prosecutors agreed to 11.5 to 23 months in county jail when Rosenberger is sentenced next month.
Rosenberger is requesting house arrest or work release. His attorney, Wendy Williams, said while Rosenberger is taking responsibility, the threat of a decade or more in prison weighed into the decision.
“For him to go to prison or jail for an extended amount of time would be absolutely devastating for his family, and he feels terrible about what happened, and he wanted to take responsibility for his actions.”
Prosecutors said Rosenberger was one of nine Pagans who pulled into the Wawa parking lot on Main Street and Trooper Road in West Norriton around 9 p.m on Oct. 17 when they saw two members of the Unknown motorcycle club getting gas. They blocked the exits and surrounded the two.
The Unknowns drew guns and opened fire in what prosecutors said was self-defense.
Fourteen shots were fired; six people were wounded.
Nine Pagans were charged. Charges against two people — Luke Higgins and Erik Dixon — were thrown out. Three others — Jason Lawless, George Hripto, and Manuel Baez-Santos — have pleaded guilty. Joel Hernandez-Martinez, Justin Knoll, and George Cwienk will go on trial starting on Monday.
3 other members will go on trial on Monday, May 18
3 other members will go on trial on Monday, May 18
