Mother to See Jailed Biker Son

The jailed son of Hells Angels leader George Christie Jr. can receive a holiday visit from his mother, a judge ruled Wednesday.

George Christie III, 25, is awaiting trial in a broad drug and racketeering case involving his father; his mother, Cheryl Christie; and several Hells Angels members and associates.

In all, 28 defendants were charged by the grand jury earlier this year in eight indictments in connection with the case. Several have pleaded guilty to criminal charges; others are awaiting trial.

Cheryl Christie, 54, posted bail in June, with one condition of her release being that she have no contact with members of the Hells Angels or their associates.

However, her lawyer, Kay Duffy, filed a motion Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Art Gutierrez requesting that her client be allowed to pay a Christmastime visit to George Christie III.

During a brief afternoon appearance, Gutierrez granted the visitation with little comment.

“Cheryl was very happy,” Duffy said after the hearing. “It’s the greatest gift that she can get for Christmas.”

Kevin Suh, one of the deputy district attorneys on the case, told the judge he did not oppose the request.

“At this point, due to [the holidays], a onetime visit I don’t think is out of the question,” Suh said.

Cheryl Christie, who Duffy said has not seen her son since February, will visit Sunday.

Otherwise, she still must not contact members of the Hells Angels. She is also required to check in daily with Ventura police and is prevented from leaving the county.

Duffy said Cheryl Christie’s mother is dying of Alzheimer’s disease in Las Vegas and her client might later ask to be allowed to visit if her mother is near death.

George Christie Jr., 54, reputed to be the heir to Ralph “Sonny” Barger as the Angels’ leader nationwide, is a Ventura native who has cultivated the image of a law-abiding citizen.

He ran a leg in the Olympic torch relay in 1984. He spoke at college and high schools about the ethics of prosecutors and journalists. And he hosted a fund-raiser for an Oxnard children’s museum in 1997.

But authorities allege that he also put together a drug trafficking network.

The case stems from a four-year investigation that culminated in February with 132 criminal counts against the Christies and others.

Prosecutors allege that the group stole prescription drugs from an Air Force base and sold them to students in Ventura and Ojai.

During the investigation, undercover agents bought drugs 25 times from Hells Angels or their associates, authorities alleged.

George Christie Jr. and George Christie III remain in jail in lieu of $1-million bail each.

Cheryl Christie was released in June after she posted $100,000 bail.