Author: terry.katz

Denmark implements temporary ban on Bandidos motorcycle club, citing violence

The Danish government seeks to dissolve Bandidos formally due to their alleged promotion of violence

Associated Press Published May 22, 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/world/denmark-implements-temporary-ban-bandidos-motorcycle-club-citing-violence

• Police in Denmark issued a temporary ban on the Danish arm of the Bandidos motorcycle club due to their violent behavior.
• The ban was enacted immediately, prohibiting club activities such as clubhouse use, meetings and wearing insignias.
• According to Lasse Boje, head of Denmark’s National Special Crime Unit, the group’s actions pose a serious threat to citizen safety and public order.
•
Police in Denmark on Wednesday issued a temporary ban on the Danish arm of the Bandidos motorcycle club, citing the group’s violent behavior.

The temporary ban was based on the assessment that the group’s activities and the behavior of its members “pose both a serious threat to citizens’ lives and safety, but also to public order as such,” said Lasse Boje, head of Denmark’s National Special Crime Unit that handles the most complex economic crime, organized crime and cybercrime.
The measure took effect immediately, meaning members of the group cannot use their clubhouses, hold meetings or wear their insignias.

“Their violence must stop now,” Boje said, adding said that in the past decade, the Danish branch of Bandidos has been involved in at least 10 violent conflicts with other criminal groups.

He said that while they will not cease to exist and be criminals, “this will, among other things, weaken their ability to recruit.”

Last month, Denmark’s government said it wants a court to formally dissolve Bandidos. Under the Danish Constitution, an organization that promotes or incites violence can be dissolved by court.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard then said that “the freedom of association was not created to protect vicious criminals,” and that the Bandidos had engaged in especially “brutal behavior.”

The Danish chapter of Bandidos MC was created in 1993. Three years later, a feud between them and rivals Hells Angels broke out in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, ending with 11 dead and nearly 100 wounded.

In recent years, members of the Bandidos in Denmark have been jailed for murder, attempted murder, assault and drug-related crimes.

A Former Leader of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Gang Joins Trump in Court

Chuck Zito, who did time on drug conspiracy charges, has tried to recast his persona as a general-purpose tough guy around town.

Matthew Haag and Alan Feuer New York Times May 20, 2024
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/nyregion/chuck-zito-hells-angels-trump-trial.html

An entourage of more than a dozen supporters who joined President Donald J. Trump in a Manhattan courthouse on Monday included a former president of an outlaw motorcycle gang in New York City who spent years in prison on drug charges.

The man, Chuck Zito, helped found in the early 1980s the New York Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels, the infamous club that started in California. The Justice Department described the organization as a criminal enterprise and linked the New York chapter to the Gambino crime family. Mr. Zito later left the biker group to try become a movie star in Hollywood.

Mr. Trump has long shown an affection for macho bikers, and addressed a rally of them in Washington in 2016 before the election. (“Do we love the bikers? Yes. We love the bikers,” he told the crowd.) A group called Bikers for Trump took part in several so-called Stop the Steal rallies after Mr. Trump lost the 2020 election.

Mr. Zito was joined in the courtroom on Monday by several Trump allies who have been charged with crimes

Significant police presence at Maine motorcycle club
Police said their search was part of an ongoing investigation
By WMTW May. 17, 2024
https://www.wabi.tv/2024/05/17/significant-police-presence-maine-motorcycle-club/

TURNER, Maine (WMTW) – State police and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Saracens Motorcycle Club in Turner Friday morning.

Police did not provide any details about what they were looking for, just that it was part of an ongoing investigation. They said there was no threat to the public.

Our media partners, WMTW, saw a significant police presence at the club on Auburn Road late Friday morning, including an evidence response team.

The club has touted its charity work and in 2008, the Saracens started serving a community turkey dinner around Thanksgiving to help raise money for the Lewiston Food Bank.

There was also a shooting near the clubhouse in 2010.

However, according to the United States Department of Justice, the Saracens Motorcycle Club is an outlaw motorcycle gang operating in the state of Maine that is allied with and subservient to the Hells Angels.

In April 2011, the DOJ said Saracens continued to distribute cocaine and marijuana in western and central Maine.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency reported at the time that the Saracens also had been involved with the distribution of methamphetamine.
Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.

Hells Angels promote clubhouse just outside Peterborough. Ontario police are watching

By Greg Davis & Robert Lothian Global News May 17, 2024

Hells Angels promote clubhouse just outside Peterborough. Ontario police are watching

The Hells Angels are not hiding the fact they are in the Peterborough, Ont., area.

Sitting atop a hill on Lily Lake Road, just on the northwest outskirts of the city, is a house with a sign with the biker gang’s insignia and a bright red and white sign with “Hells Angels” attached to the front.

Peter Edwards, the organized crime reporter with the Toronto Star and an author of several books on organized crime, says it’s a “significant” indication the Hells Angels mean business in the area after likely “testing the market.”

“I’m not really surprised,” said Edwards. “Peterborough is significant, it’s almost surprising it didn’t get a chapter before this.”

Formerly the house in Selwyn Township (part of Peterborough County) has featured insignia of the “Bad Boys MC” and “Red Devils MC Peterborough,” changing to “Hells Angels” earlier this month.

Edwards surmises they were motorcycle clubs which were “testing the waters,” for the “world’s largest outlaw motorcycle club or gang.”

“Those other clubs would be testing the waters — they’d be junior support clubs,” said Edwards. “Just like the NHL has the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League, Hells Angeles have these guys.

“They were testing the market and authorities and they passed their tests. They decided they are worth planting something there.”

As to what would make Peterborough city and county attractive to the motorcycle gang, Edwards says the area’s location “midway” between Toronto and Montreal makes it a “major pathway” to access and exit, if needed.

Edwards says the city being a “university town” with Trent University and Fleming College also offers potential clients if drug trafficking is involved.

“It’s a university town and that’s people who can afford their products,” said Edwards. “… they can pretty much have control of the area for their work. And have a guaranteed market if they bring drugs in.”

Edwards says the Outlaws Motorcycle Club is considered the main rival to the Hells Angels. The Outlaws had a clubhouse in the city but reportedly disbanded in 2019.

“It will be interesting to see the Outlaws, if there is retaliation or do they just move off to the side,” said Edwards. “They rarely fight head-on.”

Police monitoring

The Ontario Provincial Police’s Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU) says it’s aware of the Hells Angels’ new setup in Peterborough County and warns of the organization’s well-known criminal history.

“They are involved in all aspects of crime — from white-collar crime to the most serious and the most dangerous murders and homicides,” BEU Det. Insp. Scott Wade told Global News.

However, rather than being a new chapter, OPP believe the Peterborough-area presence is a new associate club.
“Hells Angels will utilize support clubs and associate clubs to distance themselves from criminal acts their engaged in,” said Wade.

Former B.C. Hells Angels sent back to prison, then released despite Corrections concerns

A former Hells Angel who killed a Kelowna grandfather has had his statutory release reinstated despite concerns about his behaviour

Kim Bolan Vancouver Sun (British Columbia, Canada) May 13, 2024
https://vancouversun.com/news/crime/former-bc-hells-angels-sent-back-to-prison-then-released-despite-corrections-concerns

A former Hells Angel convicted of beating a Kelowna grandfather to death should be released from prison despite concerns of Correctional Service Canada staff about his earlier behaviour in the community.

Robert Leonard Thomas, 59, had his statutory release suspended last fall after becoming “unreasonable, difficult, and rude” with his halfway house staff and his parole officer, according to Parole Board of Canada member Carol-Ann Reynen.

But on May 2, Reynen decided Thomas could be released again, as long as he remained in a community residential facility with special conditions.

Thomas and fellow Hells Angel Norman Cox pleaded guilty to manslaughter in January of 2014 for a roadside hammer and baseball bat beating that killed Kelowna resident Dain Phillips. Phillips, who was unarmed, had been trying to resolve a dispute between his sons and associates of the two bikers when they attacked.

Thomas was sentenced to just over 11 years in prison. Reynen doesn’t mention the notorious biker gang by name in her nine-page ruling, but says Thomas was “introduced to members of an internationally known criminal organization through your work as a tattoo artist, and you eventually became a full member of the crime group.”

“Your file indicates that your loyalty to the members of this group was the reason you were involved in the index offence, as the victim was not previously known to you.”

Thomas got statutory release in June 2021 after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

His problem behaviour began last July after his bicycle was stolen from the residential facility and he grew worried the same would happen to his motorcycle. In October, 2023, he reported that he had been visited by Hells Angels members and told to leave town.

He asked to be transferred to another facility.

“In a meeting where this was discussed in November 2023, you became rude, belligerent, and yelled profanities” at the parole officer and halfway house staff, Reynen said.

Thomas also admitted to smoking cannabis in violation of the facility’s rules and was transferred to a new halfway house where his attitude continued to be poor.

He refused to show his parole officer “various threatening text messages that you claimed you had been sent. You minimized your involvement in the index offence and suggested that your actions were self-defence,” Reynen noted.
Thomas was sent back to prison later in November. On Feb. 13, he was assaulted by three other prisoners in his cell and taken to hospital.

“Following your return to the institution, you appeared mocking, sarcastic, and refused to answer questions pertaining to the assault,” the ruling said. “Following a successful mediation between you and the primary aggressor, you informed staff that you were going to refuse to leave your cell until you either obtained a transfer to another institution or were released back into the community.”

Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering

Keystone-SDA May 13, 2024

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/identities/massive-trial-against-hells-angels-member-begins-in-basel/77447109
The trial against an allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels began on Monday at the criminal court in Basel. Opening statements focused on the large sums of money found during a search of the accused’s home.

The accused justified the large sums of money in his flat in Weil Am Rhein, Germany by claiming, among other things, that he had been keeping them because he was a middleman dealing in luxury watches. The watches were supposed to have been exchanged between two well-known members of the Swiss national football team.

The accused must stand trial for a whole series of serious offences at the criminal court. Among other things, the 36-year-old is accused of organised crime and money laundering totalling millions, rape, sexual acts with children, and bribery of prison officers.

Adapted from German by DeepL/dkk/mga

Killer Beez funeral: Gang members rip burnouts at Auckland memorial, four arrested

Story by Zane Small Newshub TV reporter in Auckland New Zealand May 13, 2024
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/killer-beez-funeral-gang-members-ripping-burnouts-at-auckland-memorial-huge-police-presence/ar-BB1mh59r

A large convoy of gang members arrived at Manukau Memorial Gardens in Auckland on Monday as a funeral for Killer Beez member Hone Kay-Selwyn got underway.

Patched members of the Killer Beez, Hells Angels and Head Hunters were in attendance, a Newshub reporter at the scene said.

The convoy was seen rolling in on motorbikes, with members filmed doing burnouts in public.

There was a very large police presence but officers were staying clear of the actual funeral area, sticking to the entrance.

Later Monday, police said four people had been arrested.

Police earlier said Kay-Selwyn’s death was not suspicious, after his body was found in Taupō last Tuesday.
The death comes after a manhunt for the 31-year-old who was accused of shooting 33-year-old Robert Sidney Horne dead on Ponsonby Rd in Auckland last weekend.

“Today, police monitored funeral proceedings between the Ōtara and Manukau Memorial Garden areas,” Inspector Rakana Cook said.

“This included a significant Police presence on the grounds at the cemetery, with some support from the Police Air Support Unit.”

He also said a checkpoint was established at the Manukau Memorial Gardens as part of Monday’s operation.
“There are no significant issues to report this afternoon and those gathered have dispersed,” Insp Cook said.

“Four arrests were made for judicial matters, with four motorcycles impounded for prior driving related offending. Our expectations on the acceptable standard of behaviour have not changed in the last four days.”

Police earlier on Monday confirmed they had been monitoring funeral proceedings for Kay-Selwyn as his body was moved back to Auckland.

“Today, his body is expected to travel from the Ōtara area to the Manukau Memorial Gardens,” a police statement said.

“Police are deploying a number of resources to monitor proceedings today, including around the route and at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.

Police said the public should expect there to be movements of gang members in parts of Auckland on Monday, but asked anyone concerned about any activity or behaviour to report this to police so that appropriate action can be taken.

“We continue to advise people that if the incident is happening now, please call 111.”

Any other matters can be reported by calling 105 or online.

Pagan MC Member Sentenced for Place Bar Shooting
Local News Report April 25, 2024

https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/04/25/pagan-mc-member-sentenced-for-place-bar-shooting/

Harrisburg – Attorney General Michelle Henry revealed the sentencing of 30-year-old Paul Kerr to a prison term of 7 to 14 years following his involvement in a shooting at Pagan’s Place bar in Allentown on January 7, 2023. Kerr had pleaded guilty to attempting to commit homicide, unlawful possession of a firearm, and discharging a gun into an occupied structure in connection with the case.

Attorney General Henry expressed her concerns about the lack of value for human life exhibited by Kerr’s actions, emphasizing the emotional impact such incidents can have even when physical harm is avoided. Stressing her commitment to preserving public safety, she highlighted the importance of accountability for individuals who endanger the well-being of Pennsylvanians through the irresponsible and unlawful use of firearms.

An investigation by the Allentown Police Department found that Kerr entered Pagan’s Place bar on the evening in question, leading to a confrontation with the bar’s owner, Luis Pagan, who had urged him to leave. After leaving briefly, Kerr returned and fired multiple shots towards the bar, causing property damage. Fortunately, no patrons were inside the bar at the time of the incident. The firearm used in the shooting was documented under Kerr’s wife’s name.

The case was handled by Senior Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo following its referral from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.

Suspects in 2017 Seabeck quadruple murder sentenced to life in prison

All three suspects were sentenced Tuesday for the murders of Christale Careaga, John Careaga, Jonathon Higgins and Hunter Schaap.

Author: KING 5 Staff Seattle, Washington, May 7, 2024
https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/suspects-2017-seabeck-quadruple-murder-sentenced/281-fa617528-a133-4987-8114-f237814037d8

SEABECK, Wash — The three men found guilty of murdering four people in Seabeck in 2017 were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Tuesday.

In January 2017, four people in a Kitsap County family were killed by members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, although the lead investigator said the killings were not club-related.

Danie Kelly, Jr., Robert Watson III, and Watson’s younger brother, Johnny Watson were charged in the killings. Investigators said Kelly, Jr. and Watson III are Bandidos members, and Watson is not affiliated with the club.

All three were found guilty of four counts of premeditated murder in the first degree, four counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and first-degree arson.

Kelly Jr., Watson III and Watson were all sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release or parole on all four counts of aggravated first-degree murder

The bodies of Christale Careaga, her son Jonathon Higgins and stepson Hunter Schapp, 16, were found in a burned-out home near Seabeck on Jan. 27, 2017. Days later, police found the body of the Careaga’s husband, John Careaga, 43, in a car that had been set on fire in Mason County.

A 911 call made by Schaap inside the Careaga home initially led investigators to the scene.

Prosecutors said John Careaga, a family man and restaurant owner, was dealing cocaine on the side. They said his problems started when he stopped dealing drugs to club members.

Prosecutors argued the suspects planned to destroy the Careaga home by arson to get rid of any remaining evidence.

Throughout the five-month jury trial, the defense worked to cast doubt on the timeline and cellphone towers used to track the alleged killers’ movements. The defense argued there was no evidence of robbery or evidence that anything was taken from the Careaga home.

Inside the Hells Angels’ Years-Long Plot to Assassinate Mick Jagger After Concert Tragedy

A new A&E episode of ‘Secrets of the Hells Angels’ recounts the multiple attempts on the rockstar’s life — and the infamous feud that started it all

By Emily Palmer People Magazine May 10, 2024

https://people.com/hells-angels-plot-assasinate-mick-jagger-altamont-concert-tragedy-8645621

• Meredith Hunter was fatally stabbed by a Hells Angels member during the infamous 1969 Altamont concert, where the biker gang was working security

• Afterward, the Hells Angels put a hit on lead singer Mick Jagger, saying he owed them $50,000 in legal fees later incurred because of that night

• Several attempts were made on the rockstar’s life, only ending after the biker gang was allegedly paid the $50,000 more than a decade later

As biker gang legend goes, the Rolling Stones allegedly stiffed the Hells Angels out of $50,000 after working security at the infamous, deadly Altamont concert in 1969.

In retaliation, they put a hit on Mick Jagger, with leader Ralph “Sonny” Barger passing word that “he wants to whack Mick Jagger,” recalls former Hells Angels President Charles “Peewee” Goldsmith in an interview with A&E.
In a upcoming episode of Secrets of the Hells Angels, key players recount the years-long assassination plot – and multiple failed attempts – to kill Jagger. The episode airs Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on A&E. (Watch an exclusive clip below.)

One attempt – outlined by an ex-Angel identified as “Butch” and hidden by a screen in archival video of 1983 Senate Judiciary Committee testimony obtained by A&E – was around 1979 or 1980 when he said Angels employed “a pontoon boat, a little rubber raft thing with plastic explosives in it,” which they floated out to Jagger’s yacht then docked at Martha’s Vineyard.

But the pontoon flooded and capsized, and bikers swam back to shore, George Christie, then the Ventura, Calif., chapter president, tells A&E.

During a Senate Judiciary hearing into the inner-workings of the Hells Angels, then-Committee Chairman Strom Thurmond of South Carolina noted that in the some 13 years since the feud between the bikers and rockstars began, Jagger had not been killed, to which, per UPI’s courtroom reporting, Butch responded: “they will some day.”

After that, claims Christie, “Jagger coughed up with the dough – well, you know, somebody coughed up with the dough – because the debt was satisfied.”

“The ironic thing,” Christie adds with a laugh: “They gave us $50,000, and then we wound up fighting over the money.”

The Rolling Stones have never publicly commented on the alleged payment, according to A&E.

It started when the rock group hired the Hells Angels – for $500 worth of beer, The New York Times reported – as security for their free, counterculture Altamont Rock Music Concert, which was hyped as the “Woodstock West” and brought together some 300,000 people Dec. 6, 1969.

But the concert ended in tragedy after Meredith Hunter, a Black 18-year-old, was fatally stabbed by Hells Angels in a case that remained open for more than three decades. The Hells Angels claimed they incurred $50,000 in associated legal fees, and believed the Rolling Stones should pay that sum.

In a photograph shot in the ensuing chaos, Jagger, who stopped singing, is depicted gaping at the man’s body, which had been placed on stage. Jagger is shown with his hand covering his mouth, while a group of Hells Angels surround the teenager.

A witness who later testified at the first-degree murder trial told Rolling Stone in a feature published weeks after the deadly concert that the incident was instigated by the biker gang.

Biker Allan Passaro was found not guilty in 1971, after the California jury, who reviewed film of the incident, found that Passaro had acted in self-defense, The New York Times reported from the trial.

In 2005, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office closed the case, saying that Hunter had pointed a gun at the stage, after which Passaro stabbed him.

New episodes of Secrets of the Hells Angels air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/ PT on A&E.