Author: terry.katz

Brothers East Outlaw Motorcycle Gang president indicted for human trafficking

Michael Cupp, of Baytown, is accused of organizing and profiting from prostitution involving multiple women.

Author: Brett Strahan May 7, 2025
https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/crime/brothers-east-outlaw-motorcycle-gang-member-indicted-trafficking/502-9b32cccb-0092-4af5-afa2-5c37fdf6b8a8

BAYTOWN, Texas — The national president of a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang with Southeast Texas ties was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday for human trafficking.

Michael Cupp, of Baytown, is accused of organizing and profiting from prostitution involving multiple women. Cupp is a founding member and the national president of the Brothers East Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (BEAST) according to a probable cause affidavit.

According to court documents, Meagan Presswood confirmed that Cupp had been collecting profits from a woman from Orange who was involved in prostitution.

Presswood was allegedly acting as a “manager” for the woman. According to court documents she helped organize sex acts, set prices, coached her on what to do, and even threatened her when things didn’t go as planned. She also used her own accounts to collect payments.

Extensive text messages from this “manager’s” phone showed clear evidence of these activities, including frequent communication with Cupp.

Presswood and Cupp would reportedly transport the woman around multiple cities to perform sex acts including, Houston, Dallas- Fort Worth, Lake Charles, and Beaumont.
Cupp became increasingly involved in the trafficking, he asked how often the woman could work, helped create online ads, and arranged travel. He also offered to lend a gun for protection, even though he is a convicted felon.

Cupp’s involvement extended to directing others in the gang to provide security and transportation for the women. Messages show him giving orders, demanding a cut of the earnings, and eventually discussing adding more women to the operation according to court documents.

Further evidence came from phones and interviews. Police interviewed the woman who was working as a prostitute, and admitted to turning tricks (a term for sex work) in several cities and said she was afraid of Presswood, who had frequently assaulted her on multiple occasions according to a probable cause affidavit.

The woman’s phone showed she was still active in prostitution and feared continued harassment from her Presswood.

DPS says they observed other BEAST members involved in transporting Tomlinson, and a firearm was found during a traffic stop.

Based on the evidence, the investigator (the “affiant”) believes that Michael Cupp committed felony promotion of prostitution and other related crimes, and is seeking an arrest warrant.

Tomlinson was also placed in custody for a felony arrest warrant out of Smith County.

This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.

U.S. Marshals in Maine Issue Wanted Poster for Dangerous Biker Gang Member
BY SEAMUS OTHOTMAY 7, 2025 UPDATED:MAY 7, 2025

The Maine District of the U.S. Marshals Service issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for Kristofer G. Haken, 46, an allegedly dangerous biker gang member wanted federally as well as in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Haken, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, has a November 8, 2024, arrest warrant for two counts of elevated aggravated assault and one count of criminal conspiracy from the Portland Police Department.

The initial incident leading to the arrest warrant took place on July 30, 2024, on Forest Ave. in Portland. During that incident, numerous suspected members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club were arrested in connection with a shooting that left three people injured and one woman dead.
Haken, a suspected member of the same gang, was able to evade arrest at the time.
After the Portland arrest warrant was issued, another warrant was issued for his arrest in NH for an alleged probation violation. In April, he was arrested in Vermont during a fugitive from justice investigation. He was quickly released on bail and now faces Vermont charges for failure to appear in court.

The marshals warned that Haken should be considered dangerous and possibly armed. He is reportedly aware of his wanted status and is actively working to avoid capture, likely with aid from other members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.
He is known to frequent the towns of Lebanon, Maine; Londonderry, Manchester, and Barnstead, NH; White River Junction, Vermont; and Albany, New York.

Gang members charged in deadly shooting at Forest Park motorcycle club gathering, police say
By Dan Raby May 7, 2025 Fox News

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/gang-members-arrest-deadly-shooting-forest-park-motorcycle-club-gathering
Published May 7, 2025
The Brief
•
• Forest Park police say they’ve made one arrest and are searching for another man in a deadly shooting at a motorcycle club gathering in April.
• Police say the two men are confirmed gang members who were trying to target a rival motorcycle club in the violence as part of a territory dispute.
• The investigation remains ongoing and police believe that additional arrests will be coming in the future.
•

FOREST PARK, Ga. – Forest Park police say they have arrested one confirmed gang member and are searching for another man connected with a deadly shooting at a motorcycle club gathering in April.

Authorities say they believe that more arrests are to come as they work to identify people connected with the violence.
The backstory:

Officials say police first responded to a shots-fired call coming from a mechanic’s shop on First Street between Jones Road and Old Dixie Highway shortly before 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.

When they got to the scene, officers found several people who had been shot. Two succumbed to their injuries. Two others were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.

A day after the shooting, authorities identified the two people who were killed as 25-year-old Isaiah Mack and Anthony Hearns, age unknown, of Philadelphia.

Investigators say around 150 to 200 people were at the motorcycle gathering when the shots were fired.

uthorities say on Tuesday, they obtained arrest warrants for Donnell “1HQ” McKnight and Nigel “Railroad” Blackwood. These two men were the same people who were taken to the hospital after the shooting.

Both men have been charged with malice murder and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

According to police, McKnight and Blackwood are both members of the Outcast Motorcycle Gang and had traveled to the gathering to do a targeted attack against the victims, who wer affiliated with Wheel of Soul Motorcycle Club, a rival group.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Forest Park Police Chief Brandon Criss said the shooting stemmed from an argument over a “territory dispute.”

He said that the two groups did not have ties in the area and that they were trying to “establish their territory here in Georgia.”
McKnight is currently in custody with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are working with county law enforcement in their continued search for Blackwood.

Dig deeper:

As part of the investigation, officials say they learned that the party took place at a commercial site without a proper business license. The property has been issued a cease and desist court order and cited for operating a business without a license. The property owner and individuals who were leasing the property have also been cited.

Speaking a day after the shooting, city officials said Forest Park’s code enforcement office is now involved to ensure the business doesn’t reopen.

What’s next:

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say they expect more charges to come in the future.

“This is just two arrests, but I believe many more should be forthcoming,” Criss said.

A press conference about the arrests and investigation will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

What you can do:
If you have any information about the shooting that could help authorities, call the Forest Park Police Department

Gang rivalry led to deadly shooting at motorcycle gathering south of Atlanta, police say

Associated Press Published May 07, 2025

https://torontosun.com/news/world/gang-rivalry-led-to-deadly-shooting-at-motorcycle-gathering-south-of-atlanta-police-say

FOREST PARK, Ga. — A dispute between rival gangs led to a shooting at a large gathering of motorcycle riders just south of Atlanta that left two people dead, police said Wednesday.

Forest Park police identified two suspects in the April 27 shooting and said one has been taken into custody. The suspects were part of the Outcast Motorcycle Gang, and the two victims were in the rival Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Club, according to police.

Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute over territory, Forest Park police Chief Brandon Criss said at a news conference.

The suspects were also shot, but survived. Forest Park is about 12 miles (19 km) south of Atlanta.

Numerous motorcyclists were speeding away when officers arrived, and police had to navigate a “large and chaotic crowd” of 100 to 150 people to reach the victims, police have said.

The business where the shooting occurred has been cited, and the property owner has been issued a cease and desist order, Criss said. More arrests were likely, he said.

German police brace for pro-Kremlin biker group’s ride through country

May 5, 2025

https://www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/german-police-brace-for-pro-kremlin-biker-groups-ride-through-country

Germany is beefing up security ahead of May 8 and 9 over the planned motorcycle ride of the Night Wolves pro-Kremlin Russian biker club, according to the Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany (ZVUD).

The ZVUD cites information from the Ukrainian radio station “tremBEATS.fm” in Germany. Berlin’s police have scheduled a major briefing to prevent potential provocations during the dates that mark Victory in Europe day during World War II.

“It is already known that the ‘Night Wolves’ will arrive in Germany on May 6. They will enter from the Czech Republic and stay overnight near Aue (Saxony). Other bikers will join them on their way to Berlin,” tremBEATS.fm reports.

This year, the police have no “specific information regarding potential attempts to disrupt events or cause harm.”
The bikers are intentionally trying to “avoid drawing negative attention.”

However, the report says, “concerns remain high about Russian propaganda and the glorification of military actions that violate international law.”

The pro-Russian bikers also support Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, which is considered a violation of international law as it justifies armed aggression, prohibited by the UN Charter.

“We will be monitoring the departures both openly and undercover. The arrival of bikers from Russia, as in previous years, is not expected,” said a member of Berlin’s criminal police.

Russian bikers are banned from entering the EU due to sanctions imposed on their club for supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Witnesses say biker club shot at truck in Lenoir

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com Charlotte, North Carolina, May 5, 2025

LENOIR, N.C. — Neighbors in Lenoir are on edge after multiple gunshots were fired into a pickup truck over the weekend.
Channel 9’s Dave Faherty learned it happened on Highway 321, where the truck eventually crashed.

Neighbors told Faherty they believe a motorcycle club was involved. Police are investigating whether or not that’s the case, but they say they have a lot of unanswered questions.

Police did confirm that the vehicle was hit twice after someone fired shots. A viewer shared a video of the truck moments after it was hit by gunfire, and two bikers are seen behind it.

Neighbors told us those shots were fired by members of a national motorcycle club. Police haven’t made an arrest.

Makayla Coffey told Channel 9 by phone that she was with friends traveling on the four-lane road when the shots rang out.

“I was trying to make sure me and my friends weren’t going to get shot because the bullets sounded extremely close,” she said.
Coffey said it should never have happened.

“Not that many people got hurt, but at the same time, you’re putting everybody’s life at risk all over everything, just drama,” said Coffey.

Surveillance video showed the crash as the truck went through the median and struck another pickup heading in the opposite direction.

The video was captured outside the business where Chris Swanson works along Highway 321

“This little town, you don’t think about gang-related or biker-related violence,” Swanson said. “You’d think that would be more of a big city thing.”

Faherty went to the group’s clubhouse north of Lenoir Monday, but no one was there.

Police have not announced an arrest.

Update: eyewitnesses are telling me the Outlaws were involved in the shooting I’m hoping to talk with some members today. I’m heading to their clubhouse now north of Lenoir.

Caldwell Co- police in Lenoir are investigating a possible road rage incident where shots were fired into this pickup truck. Investigators say the shooting involved folks who were on motorcycles. We asked if it has any connection to motorcycle clubs in the area and they are still trying to determine that and what led up to the shooting. The truck crashed a short distance away along Highway 321 in Hudson near Pine Mountain road striking another pickup. We’ll have more coverage tonight on channel 9 eyewitness news at noon and five.

Prosecutor Says Teen Girl Accused In Bonfire Shooting Has Biker Gang Ties

A prosecutor’s recent court filing says a 16-year-old girl accused of shooting two men in Sweetwater County should be tried as an adult, pointing to her suspected ties to an outlaw motorcycle gang. Her next court hearing is May 14.

Clair McFarland Cowboy State Daily in Riverton, Wyoming May 05, 2025
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/05/05/prosecutor-says-teen-girl-accused-in-bonfire-shooting-has-biker-gang-ties/

In arguing that a 16-year-old girl accused of shooting two young men at a rural Sweetwater County bonfire in February should go to trial in adult, not juvenile court, a prosecutor pointed to her alleged ties to a biker gang.

Addisyn Rain Marie Fisher is scheduled for a May 14 hearing in Sweetwater County District Court, to argue through her attorney Nathan Jeppsen that her case should transfer to the juvenile court. Wyoming juvenile court focuses on rehabilitation, and any sentence it issues expires when a defendant turns 21.

The adult-level court, conversely, could sentence Fisher for up to 10 years in prison on each of the two counts of aggravated assault she now faces, if she’s convicted.
Jeppsen argued in a March written filing that Fisher is a good student who likely acted in self-defense the night of Feb. 1.

On that night, court documents allege, she shot 18-year-old Billie Majdic in the hand, and Jason Austin Jorgensen Jr., 26, in the wrist. The men were fighting Fisher’s boyfriend Cody Hopper, 20, after Hopper had rear-ended one of the alleged victim’s trucks, court documents say.

Outlaw Motorcycle Gang
Sweetwater County Deputy Attorney Alex Breckenridge last Wednesday conceded that Fisher appears to be a good student, carrying a 3.7 grade-point average and planning to graduate early this May – but argued that her GPA speaks to her adult-level sophistication.

Breckenridge also wrote that a biker gang attended Fisher’s initial appearance after she was charged.
“The defendant’s stepfather is James King,” wrote the prosecutor. “The State believes he is the president of the local chapter of the Sons of Silence, which is an openly ‘1%’ outlaw motorcycle gang.’”

The American Motorcycle Association adopted the term “1%” in the 1940s to distinguish the motorcycle club populations who are not law-abiding from the supposed 99% who are.

King is charged with intimidation on claims he tried to intimidate a victim and potential witness in Fisher’s case.

He declined in a March phone call to comment to Cowboy State Daily.
According to Breckenridge’s filing, Sons of Silence members attended Fisher’s initial court appearance in matching attire.

“These individuals appear to be her support system,” the prosecutor wrote.

Jeppsen countered in a comment to Cowboy State Daily, saying, “She is not a member and has no interest in the Sons of Silence. She doesn’t have any knowledge of (King’s) pending case and cannot comment on it.”

The defense attorney also pointed to Fisher’s academic success and lack of criminal history, and said she has a pending scholarship to Montana State University.

Beyond that, Jeppsen declined to comment, saying he’ll file a written reply to Breckenridge’s points in the coming days.
‘Business Was Handled. Amen’

Breckenridge’s filing says Fisher “is believed to have had” a text exchange with a peer in which she seemed giddy about the shooting.

“Sum insane arguing,” the peer texted, according to Breckenridge’s filing. “U just get shot at”

“No I didn’t but people f***ed around,” Fisher responded, allegedly.

“Swear there was gun shots then everyone just dipped,” the peer answered.

“There was gun shots,” wrote Fisher, according to the filing. “But I didn’t get shot at lol.”
The peer reportedly answered: “O shi.”

The filing says Fisher then texted, “We were there to handle business, business was handled. Amen.”

A Snapchat

Breckenridge wrote that Fisher tried to solicit an alibi from another peer who was not at the bonfire, writing a detailed list of places Fisher supposedly was with the peer that night.

“I was with you until 11:30. We went to McDonalds before then and when we got back to your house,

I told you I needed to go be with my dogs,” Fisher allegedly wrote. “I have not been with Hopper since two days ago.”

The prosecutor pointed to a 2021 Wyoming Supreme Court case in which the high court ruled that a juvenile’s attempts to avoid detection weighs against her transfer to juvenile court.

“It also shows she understands what she did wrong,” added the prosecutor.

Alleged Hells Angels biker swept up in gambling bust shot dead

An alleged Hells Angels biker who was swept up in a massive bust targeting illegal sports betting was shot dead outside a Burlington restaurant.

Dale Carruthers London Free Press in Ontario Canada Published May 02, 2025 •

Alleged Hells Angels biker swept up in gambling bust shot dead

An alleged Hells Angels biker who was swept up in a massive bust targeting illegal sports betting was shot dead outside a Burlington restaurant.

Emergency crews responded to a reported shooting Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. to the Mandarin restaurant at 1881 Fairview St. in Burlington, where paramedics took a man to hospital and he was pronounced dead, Halton regional police said.

Police identified the deceased as Craig McIlquham, 55, of Oakville, and investigators believe the shooting was a targeted incident.
No arrests have been made, but investigators have released a photograph of vehicle of interest – a grey, newer model Honda Civic with dark-tinted windows and black alloy rims – and are asking anyone with video from area between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to contact Halton police.
McIlquham, known as Truck, was one of two alleged full-patch members of the Hells Angels swept up in 2019 as part of Operation Hobart, a two-year probe of an alleged illegal gambling ring police contend was run by Hells Angels bikers and a Toronto crime family.

Investigators alleged McIlquham and Robert Barletta, the founder of the London Hells Angels chapter, were the ringleaders of the sophisticated operation that controlled at least 14 sports-betting websites and took in more than $160 million in revenue over six years.
Both McIlquham and Barletta were charged with bookmaking offences, firearms offences and commission of an offence for a criminal organization. Barletta was additionally charged with tax evasion.

Hells Angel Found Guilty for Vicious OB Stabbing and Assaults

OB RAG AAPRIL 25, 2025 OCEAN BEACH CALIFORNIA

Hells Angel Found Guilty for Vicious OB Stabbing and Assaults

A San Diego jury on Friday convicted a local Hells Angel of attempted murder for stabbing a Black man on Newport Avenue two years ago.

Troy Scholder was also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, and a separate charge of felony assault against another victim. The stabbing and assaults occurred on June 6, 2023.

The jury also agreed with prosecutor Miriam Hemming’s argument that Scholder committed a hate crime in those attacks.

Scholder now faces another hearing to determine if he committed those crimes for the benefit of a gang.

That hearing is scheduled for May 15. The decision on that gang enhancement will be made by Judge Frank Devaney, not by a jury.
Scholder faces 30 years to life on the attempted murder conviction.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 6. He has been held in county jail without bail since his arrest.

The stabbing was the culmination of a dispute over comments the victim made to the girlfriend of a Hells Angels’ associate outside a Newport Avenue bar. According to the prosecutor, the victim and two of his friends — all of them Black males — had left the bar and were walking down Newport when a group of bikers ran after them. One victim was beaten and another was stabbed. The third man managed to outrun his assailants.

The prosecutor said Scholder’s victim came literally “within an inch of his life” when the biker stabbed him in the right chest, severing an artery and damaging his lung.

Colorado Springs mayor wants ‘more raids’ after DEA arrests

• 114 people arrested in DEA-led Colorado Springs operation
• 40 Colorado Springs police officers were involved in the raid
• DEA: Colorado club ‘dangerous place’ with drugs, prostitution

https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/west/colorado-springs-mayor-more-raids-dea/?utm_campaign=NewsNation-trending-now&utm_source=dcnewsnow.com&utm_medium=newsnation-cross-brand
Patrick Djordjevic, Damita Menezes
Updated: Apr 29, 2025 / 07:16 AM CDT

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the uncertainty around the detainment status of U.S. military members at the night club as a result of the raid.

(NewsNation) — A Colorado mayor says he is committed to the safety of his community and hopes to see more raids following Sunday’s arrest in Colorado City of more than 100 migrants allegedly in the United States illegally.

The DEA-led raid resulted in the detainment of 114 people allegedly in the country illegally. Investigators say there were 17 active-duty U.S. military members at the club, some of whom were providing armed security for the establishment. It’s unclear if they were detained after the raid.

Authorities also reportedly discovered methamphetamines and powdered drugs, including pink cocaine.
“I anticipate that there will be more arrests,” Mayor Yemi Mobolade told “NewsNation Now.” “I hope to see more raids happen in my city. This is not the first one.”

Mobolade noted that 40 officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department were involved in the operation Sunday.

The mayor commended President Donald Trump’s efforts to ensure safety in the U.S., ostensibly through his border policies.

“I can actually appreciate what the president and his team are doing,” he said. “The No. 1 role of government at all levels, whether it’s federal, state or local. In my case, it’s the safety of our community. If you don’t have a safe community, you have nothing. I have often said that a great city is a safe city … a safe city is a great city.”

Mobolade, the first immigrant mayor of Colorado Springs, also noted it is a “blessing” to live in the U.S. and be afforded the safety the country offers.
The Colorado Springs nightclub raided by federal agents was “a dangerous place” where drug trafficking and prostitution took place, according to the DEA’s top official in the region.

Jonathan Pullen, DEA Rocky Mountain Division Special Agent in Charge, said the club only operated from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on weekends, attracting a dangerous clientele.

“I’ve had agents in there on multiple occasions, and they’ve witnessed drug trafficking. We’ve actually purchased drugs in this club undercover. They’ve witnessed prostitution taking place,” Pullen told NewsNation.

“It’s disappointing to see active duty military folks in an environment like this,” Pullen said.

During the raid, some armed individuals allegedly attempted to dispose of their weapons by dropping them on the floor, throwing them in a closet, or in one case, tossing a gun under a car while trying to flee.

Pullen described the venue as “a den of iniquity” that had previously operated at various addresses across Colorado Springs. The club came under surveillance after authorities received numerous 911 calls reporting shootings, drug trafficking and overdoses.

There was a person who overdosed at this club a few weeks ago. They didn’t want to call the cops there, so somebody drove him down the street about a mile, dumped him out, then they called 911,” Pullen said.

The operation involved 10 federal agencies, including ICE, ATF, IRS and FBI, along with two sheriff’s departments and the local police department. According to Pullen, those detained included individuals from Guatemala, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua, Chile and Honduras.

The nightclub was reportedly located in what Pullen described as “a rough part of town.” He mentioned receiving a grateful voicemail from a neighbor concerned about the establishment for months.

“He’d been nervous and worried for months because of what’s happening. Even told his family, his kids, ‘Hey, we’re not going over there on the weekends. It’s too dangerous,’” Pullen said.

Prior to the raid, undercover agents reported seeing members of gangs, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and Hell’s Angels, at the club. However, Pullen said they were still processing those arrested to confirm gang affiliations.