Category: Gangs in the news…

City shutting down East Baltimore motorcycle club that was torched after deadly shootout

Tim Prudente Baltimore Banner August 29, 2024
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/city-shutting-down-torched-motorcycle-club-EWX2DJAVVNCFBG543L7H6RTOFU/

City officials are effectively shutting down the East Baltimore motorcycle clubhouse that was torched last week in what police believe to be an act of retaliatory street violence.

Tensions had escalated between neighbors in the Oliver community and the bikers who rode in to the old brick warehouse at 1301 N. Spring St. Then gunfire erupted last week outside the clubhouse. Six men and one woman were shot and wounded. Another man, Anthony Martin, who lived in the neighborhood, was killed.

Three days later, someone set fire to the clubhouse overnight. Investigators have confirmed the fire was arson, a police spokeswoman said. The clubhouse was likely torched in retaliation for the shooting, police have said.

Now, officials are prohibiting the bikers from returning to the clubhouse without permission. Inspectors are to issue a vacant building notice for the brick warehouse Thursday, said Tammy Hawley, Department of Housing and Community Development spokeswoman. That means no one may legally occupy the building without first obtaining a city permit.

The vacant building notice also gives officials authority to fine the property owner for outstanding citations, monitor repair work, and send the property into foreclosure and receivership if needed. State tax records list the warehouse as owned by Oscar Alfredo Portillo, of Prince George’s County. He has not returned a message.

State business records show at least two motorcycle companies have been registered at the address. TB Aberdeen Motorcycle Club Inc. was forfeited last year. Moon’s Motorcycle Transport LLC has been there for two years. Both businesses were registered to Carlton Shaw, of Joppa. Reached by phone last week, he denied involvement with the motorcycle club before hanging up.

A sign on the light post out front resembles the symbol of the Black outlaw motorcycle club Thunderguards MC. Neighbors simply knew it as the bike club and said crowds of motorcycle riders came in on Sundays to hold parties and other events. Biker events there have also been shared on Facebook.

A neighborhood motorcycle club went up in flames on Wednesday night. The aftermath is pictured on Aug. 22, 2024. The club has been a focus of law enforcement after a mass shooting occurred in front of club in which one person was killed.

The building sits on a small side street beside a basketball court, new tennis courts and the Calvin B. Scruggs Sr. Park. The community used the courts and park. The bikers sometimes put out cones to shut down the street and refused to let people walk through, neighbors said. They said the situation was headed toward a breaking point.

Police have announced no arrests in the shooting. They said ballistics recovered from the scene show 10 guns had been fired.

During a community meeting Thursday, Maj. Jai Etwaroo called the shooting the most traumatic act of violence he’s seen as commander of the Eastern District.

The fire also caused smoke damage to the nonprofit Natural Born Champions that operates out of the warehouse next door to the motorcycle club. The nonprofit runs camps, before- and after-school programs, tutoring and mentorship for city children.

This story may be updated.

Branded Few bikers to remove swastika insignia after Reno Toy Run donation controversy

Clark, Herman make another donation to toy run, which passed 4-1

Jaedyn Young Reno Gazette Journal Reno, Nevada August 22, 2024

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/government/2024/08/22/branded-few-bikers-to-remove-swastikas-after-toy-run-controversy/74894979007/

The Branded Few are changing their jacket insignia, which featured a swastika, after being condemned at Washoe County Commission meetings, according to a motorcycle club spokesman.

The Northern Nevada Confederation of Clubs runs the annual Reno Toy Run, a nonprofit that collects toys for children. It received a $10,000 donation from Commissioner Mike Clark on June 18.

Afterward, a photo of a Branded Few motorcycle club member at the meeting wearing a jacket with the Nazi symbol went viral on social media.

Chair Alexis Hill called for the donation to be re-voted on on June 19. The donation was retained, with only Hill and Commissioner Mariluz Garcia voting against it.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Jeanne Herman and Clark proposed two more donations of $10,000 each to go to the Reno Toy Run. Clark also gave a $10,000 donation to Jewish Nevada.

“The Branded Few have decided to be the adults in the room. (They) have boldly decided as an organization to remove the patch you sought to defame them with,” Northern Nevada Confederation of Clubs spokesman Tony Regas told the commission.

The insignia, which the Branded Few refers to as a “broken cross,” is being replacing with a “BF” patch on their jackets.

“They took this action so that no one, including (the board), can ever attempt to defame their character again. I, for one, am proud of them,” Regas said during his public comment.

Marsha Berkbigler, a former commissioner and Hill’s current opponent for her seat, told the board she was “appalled” that they were trying to dictate who commissioners make donations to.

“I don’t care what the symbol is,” Berkbigler said. “To talk bad about a group of people who do nothing but good things for this community is simply unforgivable and you should be ashamed.”

Hill said that she was happy the Branded Few decided to rebrand, but that the swastika is a symbol of white supremacy and she was not going to vote to give taxpayer dollars to any organization that wears it.
Garcia, who previously voted against the donation, switched sides when she heard the Branded Few would be removing the insignia.

“I want to cut through the frustration and recognize that there is important work that needs to be done for children,” Garcia said. “With this new information I am going to support it today.”

The vote to approve both donations passed 4-1, with Hill voting no.

Firefighters extinguish blaze at warehouse near recent mass shooting site
by MEGAN RODGERS | FOX45 News August 22nd 2024 at 4:19 AM

https://www.foxbaltimore.com/news/local/firefighters-extinguish-blaze-at-warehouse-near-recent-mass-shooting-site

BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — Firefighters put out a fire at a garage-style warehouse located at 1301 N. Spring Street on Wednesday night.

The building was next to the spot where eight people were shot on Sunday night, one of those individuals died from their injuries.

We are waiting on more details from authorities, and confirmation for if the building is linked to themotorcycle club associated with the mass shooting that happened on Sunday. Once more information is shared, this story will be updated.

Hells Angels: Judge drops gang charges; defendants held to answer for robbery

The Bakersfield Californian August 21, 2024
https://www.unionleader.com/news/crime/hells-angels-judge-drops-gang-charges-defendants-held-to-answer-for-robbery/article_9fee184e-5fb5-11ef-a557-93c81a445eb6.html

A Kern County judge dismissed all gang charges and enhancements Monday for the four defendants suspected of robbing the former Bakersfield Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’s clubhouse.

Judge Kenneth Twisselman chose to dismiss the participation in a street gang charge for Ricardo Alvarez, Armando Villasenor, Joshua Zavala and Joshua Vaughn due to a lack of evidence.

A four-day preliminary hearing ended Monday morning after the defense attorneys argued that their clients do not have criminal convictions. Tony Lidgett, representing Alvarez, argued Friday that the Bakersfield Hells Angels charter is not the same as every Hells Angels charter.

Gabriel Godinez, the defense attorney for Villasenor, said during Friday’s hearing that the Bakersfield Hells Angels host community events and even toy drives.

Alvarez, Villasenor and Zavala are members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. However, Vaughn’s attorney, Andrew Lockhart, said Vaughn was not an official member and was prospecting for the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club.

At the beginning of Monday’s hearing, Twisselman decided to not consider testimony about a San Diego Hells Angels case and Zavala’s current case. His defense attorney, Victor Nasser, said the outcome of that case has not been determined yet and should not be used in the robbery case.

Alvarez, Villasenor and Zavala will be held to answer for the first-degree robbery of an inhabited house, assault with a firearm and false imprisonment of an elderly adult. Alvarez is also facing charges for criminal threats and dissuading a victim to testify.

Vaughn will be held to answer for second-degree robbery, assault with a firearm, false imprisonment of an elderly person and dissuading a victim to testify.

The four defendants — along with Joseph Sotto Sr., Joseph Soto Jr, and John Seeger — are all suspected of robbing James Dickens at the former Hells Angels clubhouse in Oildale. According to Dickens’ statements to investigators, several members of the Bakersfield Hells Angels assaulted him, threatened him and stole items from the house that they said were club items on March 1 through 3 and April 10 and 11.

The prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Jordan Houle, urged Twisselman Monday to evaluate the evidence and testimonies in their totality before deciding which charges the defendants should be held to answer for. Houle referred to the crimes as a “scheme that lasted over a month.”

However, Lidgett argued that he could not see any evidence to corroborate Dickens’ stories about the robberies. He said none of the items reported stolen were located and Dickens has not provided investigators with a full list of missing items.

Lidgett also questioned the dates of the events — noting that Alvarez’s phone did not ping in the area of the old clubhouse the day the prosecutor said Dickens said Alvarez and others there to rob him. Godinez and Victor Nasser, Zavala’s attorney, echoed the same message and said their clients’ phones also did not ping in the area on the day of the alleged robbery.

The defense attorney also pointed out they did not know if Dickens lived in the clubhouse and Lidgett said a stay-away order for Dickens lists a different address than the house on North Chester Avenue.

Following Monday’s hearing, Twisselman scheduled a bail review hearing on Aug. 27 and arraignment for the four defendants on Aug. 29. Alvarez is being held without bail and Villasenor, Zavala and Vaughn are being held on $800,000 bail.

The four defendants remain in custody as of Monday. Soto, Soto and Seeger have their pre-preliminary hearing later this week.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Witnesses describe what transpired before mass shooting in Baltimore City

• By: David Collins, WBAL-TV 11 August 20, 2024

• A heavy police presence remains in East Baltimore nearly 24 hours after shots rang out near a park in the Oliver neighborhood.

• Around 8 p.m. Sunday night, 36-year-old Anthony Martin was killed, and seven others were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds after a mass shooting, investigators said.

• After police left, Roca and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement worked the neighborhood, offering resources and support.

• According to witnesses, the mass shooting started as an argument over a parking spot. It happened after a motorcycle gang gathered to remember a member who died in a balloon launch, witnesses said. Then, according to witnesses, a fight broke out.

• “One individual moved a cone and wanted his girlfriend or wife to park there. And that’s when it all started. It exploded,” said Chareese, a witness.

• Chareese said everyone was in a circle. She anticipated trouble and called 911.

• “We called 911 to report it,” Chareese said. “We called twice. I even put in a 311 complaint — I said there was a disturbance and noise in the community, and we are trying to keep the community clean.”

• Detectives spent most of Monday looking for witnesses and surveillance footage. 11 News counted eight cameras near the shooting scene alone and a Ring camera near the parking spot where the argument broke out.

• “I’ve never seen nothing like this all my life,” Chareese said. “I’ve lived here since birth, so it was very disturbing.”

• With the exception of Martin, all victims are now in stable condition. Investigators believe multiple people fired weapons. They found multiple firearms at the scene.

• Despite the crime scene, life goes on in Oliver. 11 News saw kids playing basketball Monday around the police tape. Neighbors said historic Oliver is a stable neighborhood.

• “Just last Sunday, they had a good giveaway in the park. Yesterday morning, before this event, they had a clothing drive giving away clothes to the community. There’s a lot of good things going on in the community — I feel like this event may overshadow all of that,” said someone who lives in the neighborhood.

• MONSE and Roca spent the rest of the afternoon knocking on doors, offering traumatized neighbors support and resources. They also started a 45-day engagement with the neighborhood.

• “To engage with the community, to share letters with phone numbers, email addresses and resources — to let people know we are here to have a presence,” said Stephanie Mavronis, director of MONSE.

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Hells Angels: First witness testifies to order of events at preliminary hearing

By MELANIE NGUYEN mnguyen@bakersfield.com August 14, 2024
https://www.bakersfield.com/news/hells-angels-first-witness-testifies-to-order-of-events-at-preliminary-hearing/article_5955efb0-5aa6-11ef-9039-fbe7b72c918d.html

The 69-year-old man who moved into the former Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’s clubhouse did not have a problem with members from the group coming to collect club property the first time.

However, when members of the club allegedly started taking items that did not belong to them and threatening the victim not to contact law enforcement, James Dickens began to fear for his life
****************************.
Hells Angels: Prosecutor establishes one gang expert; one pending

By MELANIE NGUYEN mnguyen@bakersfield.com August 16, 2024

As the preliminary hearing for four Bakersfield Hells Angels accused of robbery continued Friday, two of the prosecutor’s witnesses were called as gang experts — but only one was approved by the judge to give expert opinions.

One of the lead investigators — Kern County Sheriff’s deputy Austin Burgess — in the alleged robbery case against Ricardo Alvarez, Armando Villasenor, Joshua Zavala and Joshua Vaugh testified for a second time Friday.

ARE THERE HELLS ANGELS GANGS IN THE UK?
Since their inception in 1969, the British Hells Angels have painted themselves as lovable rogues – but their rap sheet tells a darker story.

Secrets of The Hells Angels goes deep into the world of the secretive and notorious biker club revealing a much more violent and devious group than anyone realised. The show airs Tuesdays at 10pm on Sky

https://www.history.co.uk/articles/hells-angels-gangs-uk

The Hells Angels is the biggest biker gang in the world and has always been primarily associated with the USA. Indeed, when we think of highway crime in the UK, we’re probably more likely to call to mind figures like Dick Turpin from yesteryear.

But despite its all-American image, the Hells Angels now have a reported global membership of more than 6,000 bikers in almost 60 countries – including the UK. Read on to find out more about the origins of one of the most dangerous crime gangs in Britain, as well as their attempts to cultivate a pristine public image and the frequent media controversies and court cases which undermine them.

A brush with The Beatles

As unlikely as it sounds, the first time the Hells Angels set foot on British soil was at the request of pop sensations The Beatles. The Fab Four have rubbed shoulders with a wide variety of famous faces, including Queen Elizabeth II, but the rough-and-ready biker gang are perhaps one of their more surprising acquaintances.

The Beatle responsible is even more of an eyebrow-raiser. John Lennon might be traditionally thought of as the more hedonistic and headstrong of the lineup, but it was actually George Harrison – often known as the quietest and most retiring of the group – who extended the invitation.

However, when a gaggle of bikers eventually turned up at Apple Corps studios, the roles were quickly reversed back to normal. At a Christmas party, Lennon very nearly suffered a punch in the face from an aggrieved Angel, while Harrison failed to even put in an appearance.

This now infamous visit occurred in 1968, but the first British chapters of the gang followed hot on its heels the next year. An East London chapter and a South London chapter sprang up in 1969 and, over the next few decades, plenty more followed. By 1995, it was believed that at least 12 chapters consisting of 250 members were in existence. Today, those figures are likely to have swelled significantly.

At the very least, the Angels are known to have factions in Ashfield, Essex, Kent, Lea Valley, London, Manchester, Northampton, Southampton, Tyne and Wear, Wales, Wessex, Windsor and Wolverhampton, as well as a so-called ‘Nomad Chapter’ which covers the length and breadth of the UK.

PR responsible for rapid growth

One of the principal reasons that the Hells Angels have spread so quickly throughout Britain is their uncharacteristically benign public image in the country. According to one of the lead officers of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) tasked with monitoring biker crime in the 1990s, the group were viewed as largely harmless.

This is at stark odds with how the Angels are perceived in almost all other countries where they are present. In turn, they have been at pains to encourage this British image of themselves as lovable rogues and nothing more threatening. Indeed, the then-president of the London chapter, Alan ‘Snob’ Fisher, even took part in the Queen’s 2002 jubilee parade, raising money for a children’s charity in the process.

Meanwhile, the most notable Hells Angel in the UK was surely Ian ‘Maz’ Harris, up until his death in 2000. A frequent spokesperson for the group, Harris held the rare distinction of being an Angel with a PhD. His dissertation at Warwick University was entitled Myth and Reality in the Motorcycle Subculture.

But despite these carefully cultivated attempts at portraying a family-friendly image to the public, there is undoubtedly a darker side to the gang. Quite aside from their penchant for hedonistic partying and vehicle-based noise pollution, the Angels have been implicated in all kinds of court cases, from rape and murder to theft and drug trafficking. As such, they’re widely regarded as one of the most dangerous criminal groups in the UK.

A lengthy list of misdemeanours

While it would be impossible to fit all of the various scandals, controversies and allegations levelled at the Angels into a single article of this size, here’s a very brief rundown of some of their more notorious exploits:

• In 1972, just three years after the first British chapter was founded, three Hells Angels members were sentenced for their role in the rape of a 14-year-old girl in Winchester.

• In 1984, Hells Angels member David Richardson and his girlfriend were found guilty of murdering a 16-year-old boy. After serving 21 years in prison, Richardson then absconded and lived freely for nine years, before being re-arrested and incarcerated once more.

• In 1988, former Hells Angels member Leonard Tedham was sentenced to life in prison for the sexual assault and murder of a sex worker named Rita Parminter.

• The police have long suspected the group of having heavy involvement in drug and arms trafficking. Over the years, the Angels have been implicated in a variety of cocaine, marijuana and weapons smuggling scandals.

• Over the decades, the Angels have engaged in violent rivalries with a number of other notorious biker gangs, including the Luton Town MIGS, the Outlaws, Satan’s Slaves and the Vikings.

Of course, the Angels have always blamed these controversies on the actions of individuals, claiming that while they may have a few bad apples among their ranks, they’re largely a peaceful organisation. Indeed, ‘When we do right, nobody remembers… when we do wrong, nobody forgets’ is one of their more effective slogans.

Court docs: Violent crimes involving rival KC-area motorcycle ‘gangs’ land 18 people in jail

Warrant executed at Lee’s Summit home linked to cases

Heidi Schmidt KCTV 5 In Kansas City, Missouri August 15, 2024

https://www.kctv5.com/2024/08/16/court-docs-violent-crimes-involving-rival-kc-area-motorcycle-gangs-land-18-people-jail/

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Plans involving assault, threats, and rival biker gangs land more than a dozen people behind bars. Court documents show the Kansas City area was at the center of the plot.

A grand jury indicted more than a dozen Kansas City members of the Pagan’s motorcycle club. The indictment accuses them of a series of armed assaults against rival motorcycle gangs. The indictment was unsealed Thursday.

A dozen law enforcement agencies executed seven search warrants, including one at a house near SW 3rd Street and Pryor Road in Lee’s Summit, Thursday morning.

Officers seized more than 40 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armor and a marijuana grow operation.

Pegan’s is a violent criminal organization that engaged in racketeering, an enterprise that involved illegal drug trafficking.

Federal Indictment
The indictment charged the following 18 people, identified as members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, with the following crimes.

Christopher “Mack” McGowen, 40, of Platte City, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon
discharging a firearm during an assault
assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering

Arthur “Straight Edge” Reynolds III, 48, Independence, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Jarrid “Hammer” Hammer, 45, Independence, Mo.
assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeerin

Jeremiah “Pass Out” Hahn, 41, Cameron, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon

John “Krazy Legs” Hahn, 46, Cameron, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Charles “Crash” Smith, Jr., 38, Blue Springs, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon
discharging a firearm during an assault

James “Rugby” Prettyman, 42, Blue Springs, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon
discharging a firearm during an assault

Mark “One Shot” Cottman, 49, Kansas City, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Bryan “Fletch” Fletcher, 48, Lee’s Summit
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Mark “Navajo” Crump, 54, Lee’s Summit, Mo.
assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering

Jeffrey “Got-It” Hannah, 42, Grain Valley, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Eric “EZ” Forsyth, Jr., 34, Oak Grove, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Robert “Flipper” Miller, 46, Joplin, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon
discharging a firearm during an assault

Brandon “Youngblood” Hodge, 25, Joplin, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
discharging a firearm during an assault

Monty “Smoke” Mitchell, 58, Windsor, Mo.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon
discharging a firearm during an assault

Alan “Bones” Thornton, 40, Holden, Mo.
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon

• John Travis “T-Bone” Fisher, 51, Sapulpa, Okla.
attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon

Graham “Dro” Gattis, 40, Panama City, Fla.
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
o discharging a firearm during an assaut

The indictment claims that Pagan’s used threats of violence to protect its territory from rival motorcycle clubs.
In Missouri the rival clubs include:
• Hells Angels
• Outlaws
• El Forastero
• Galloping Goose
• Sons of Silence
• Bandidos

• The court documents go on to show Pagan’s tried to eliminate the other gangs completely by assaulting, robbing, extorting and even trying to murder them.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

New comment on your post “Fear City Firing Squad Motorcycle Club.
Arson Suspect Arrest in Oklahoma”
Author: john.carroll (IP address: 216.198.166.93,
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Comment:
Subjects arrested were members of the Homietos MC
Fear City Firing Squad MC is associated with the Outlaws MC
Fear City had previously beat down a Homietos Prospect