Two Pagans sentenced to 20 to 40 years

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Two members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club will spend at least 20 years in jail for the assault of a former Pagan in Charleroi last year. 

Matthew Vasquez, 31, of Monessen and Joseph Olinsky III, 46, of McKeesport were both sentenced to 10 to 20 years for aggravated assault and another 10 to 20 years for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. The sentences will run consecutively, effectively giving both men 20 to 40 years in prison.

Last fall, Vasquez rejected a plea deal that carried a sentence of seven to 14 years and Olinsky turned down a plea deal that would have meant a sentence of three and a half to seven years.

“The commonwealth is very happy with the sentence,” said Washington County Deputy Assistant District Attorney Jason Walsh. 

Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge John DiSalle went outside the guidelines set for sentencing on aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charges, as Walsh requested.

Part of the reason the prosecution asked DiSalle to consider venturing outside the guidelines is due to Vasquez’ post-conviction phone activity while incarcerated.

All calls are subject to monitoring, recording and may be intercepted or divulged in the Washington County Correctional Facility.

Walsh said that Vasquez has had a lot of phone conversations in which he wished harm on Jamie Granato, 28, of Monessen, his former fiance and a cooperating witness for the prosecution. 

Walsh said Vasquez also discussed wishing harm on Paul Cochran, a fellow Pagan who was also charged in the beating but is a cooperating witness for the prosecution.

Granato is also charged in the case.

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