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Judge Refuses To Overturn Ex-Outlaws Leader's Sentence

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2007

Updated: 09/18/2007 10:59 pm

TAMPA - The former international leader of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club lost a bid Tuesday to have his life sentence set aside.

U.S. District Judge James Moody issued an order denying a motion by an attorney for Harry "Taco" Bowman requesting that Moody overturn Bowman's sentence for his conviction in Tampa in 2001 on conspiracy, racketeering and drug charges.

The defense claimed federal prosecutors withheld information they were required to turn over to the defense before Bowman's trial.

However, Moody ruled the prosecution didn't have information the defense said it had about "snitches."

After Bowman's conviction, federal officials in Tampa prosecuted his successor, James Lee "Frank" Wheeler.

Experts say the motorcycle club, which has 1,100 to 1,500 members nationwide, has regrouped.

Florida is said to be one of the club's strongholds.

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