Central Washington Motorcycle Gang Leader Convicted in Walla Walla
Walla Walla Regional Drug and Gang Taskforce
September 20, 2024
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WALLA WALLA — On Wednesday, September 18th, jurors convicted 52-year-old John Smith of College Place, Washington, on two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, each classified as a class B felony. These convictions are tied to a robbery incident that took place in Walla Walla in March 2023.
During the incident, Smith threatened two employees of PetSmart with what appeared to be a firearm. Smith’s accomplice, Christopher Peters, age 30, of Walla Walla, was armed with a bat during the altercation and was also convicted on related charges. Peters had fashioned the bat into a club, which was decorated with symbols, colors, and lettering consistent with the Pagan’s Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG).
At the time of the incident, Smith was the President of the Pagan’s OMG’s Walla Walla chapter. The Pagan’s OMG, known for its violent and intimidating culture, has been active in the Walla Walla region for approximately three years. This conviction adds to a series of legal actions involving members of the group at both state and federal levels, connected to serious assaults and illegal firearms possession.
Following the conviction, Smith was remanded into custody. His sentencing is scheduled for October 7, 2024.
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