San Diego

A federal judge Friday upheld a U.S. magistrate’s ruling allowing Hell’s Angels San Diego president, Douglas “Dutch” Schultz, to apply the $300,000 property bond he posted in a pending drug case as bond in a subsequent case.

U.S. District Judge Judith N. Keep ruled that the conditions imposed on Schultz, 32, allowing him to remain free pending the outcome of his April 29 methamphetamine distribution trial are sufficient to protect the public.

Schultz, owner of a San Diego limousine rental service, is charged with conspiring with three others to intimidate a former employee whom he thought was going to testify against him in the drug case.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Michael Lasater sought to revoke Schultz’s bond, saying the witness intimidation indictment shows the bond conditions aren’t enough to protect other possible witnesses. But Keep disagreed.

“I don’t have any evidence that shows if he is released that he’s likely to intimidate a witness or sell methamphetamine, which are my only bases (in this case) for finding him to be a danger to the community,” Keep said.

During the hearing, Lasater revealed that the government is continuing an investigation of Schultz’s alleged involvement in the 1976 homicide of Hell’s Angels club member Gary Robles, who was found shot to death in his van in Clairemont.

Lasater said three former Hell’s Angels have told investigators that Schultz told them he shot Robles, who they said was causing problems for the club. Schultz’s attorney, Michael Pancer, called the allegations “lies” and questioned “the timing and effect this publicity has on the eve of (Schultz’s) trial.”