San Diego

A U. S. magistrate set bail at $2.5 million Thursday for the president of the local Hells Angels chapter, who has been indicted on drug charges.

The prosecution was unsuccessful in persuading U. S. District Court Magistrate Irma Gonzalez to hold Guy Russell Castiglione, 38, of Lakeside without bail.

Castiglione’s attorney, James Warner, said the government has charged his client only because “of who he is.”

A federal grand jury indicted Castiglione and his girlfriend, Cathleen Pirelli, also of Lakeside, last week on charges of conspiracy to possess 2 pounds of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The drugs were found in his girlfriend’s purse May 13 by U. S. Border Patrol agents at the Temecula checkpoint, Warner said.

“He has absolutely no involvement with it,” he said. “It’s one person’s drugs and they charged two people.”

Pirelli’s bail is set at $150,000.

Warner argued that Castiglione has lived in the county 33 years, owns a good deal of inherited property and has family here.

The attorney said afterward that he believes Castiglione will be able to post the $2.5 million bail.

Assistant U. S. Atty. Laura Birkmeyer could not be reached for comment.

Castiglione pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday and was ordered to next appear in court Aug. 7 for motions.