Category: Gangs in the news…

Sophisticated’ drug trafficking network with ties to Hells Angels, Hamilton gang busted by RCMP

Nineteen are people facing drugs, gun and other charges, including one person who was arrested after the murder of mobster Angelo Musitano

By Nicole O’Reilly Hamilton Spectator (Ontario Canada) July 18, 2024
https://www.thespec.com/news/crime/sophisticated-drug-trafficking-network-with-ties-to-hells-angels-hamilton-gang-busted-by-rcmp/article_233b6274-80f1-52a7-9d8b-e55a13498635.html

An RCMP-led police team says it has dismantled a “well-organized” network trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl and other drugs in Hamilton, Caledonia and Niagara regions.

There are 19 people from Hamilton, Binbrook and Caledonia who face a slew of drug, gun and other charges, including three men identified as leaders of the criminal network by the RCMP’s Golden Horseshoe combined forces special enforcement unit (CFSEU). One of those charged was previously arrested in a Mob murder, and another is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle club, The Spectator has confirmed.

Many of the arrested parties are also associated with the Hamilton street gang North End Crew, the RCMP said in response to questions from the Spectator.

“We have not laid any charges involving any other known criminal organizations,” RCMP said.

The investigation, dubbed Project Opensky, began last year after police uncovered a “sophisticated drug trafficking network,” the RCMP said in a news release. There were three rounds of search warrants and arrests starting in April, with the third round in June.

Police said they seized large quantities of crystal meth, cocaine, fentanyl and prescription pills, along with firearms, ammunition, ballistic vests, cash and other items allegedly tied to drug-trafficking.

Several kilograms of substances suspected to be narcotics have been sent to a lab for testing.

The RCMP told the Spectator that they seized kilograms of crystal meth and cocaine, along with “significant quantities” of fentanyl and prescription pills. The exact amounts and dollar value will be better known when testing is complete.

The searches involved tactical officers from the RCMP, OPP, Hamilton, Niagara, Halton and Waterloo police. The OPP-led biker enforcement unit and Hamilton’s major drugs and gang unit also helped.

RCMP declined to give details on the network’s alleged means of distribution, communication and concealment, but said it was “sophisticated.” None of the charges are tied to the importation of drugs and guns, however, RCMP believe the drugs were imported from Mexico.

On social media, Hamilton police said they were proud to have played a “crucial role” in the investigation.
“This operation highlights the power of co-operation and our shared commitment to disrupting organized crime and ensuring the safety of our (Hamilton) communities,” the post said.

Among the trio of alleged leaders identified by police is Sean Bixby, a 41-year-old Hamilton man who is well-known to Hamilton police for his alleged criminal ties.

Bixby was arrested and questioned in the May 2017 murder of Hamilton mobster Angelo Musitano, who was gunned down in the driveway of his Waterdown home at the start of a bloody Mob-war that later saw his older brother and reputed Mob leader Pat killed.

Bixby was a friend of the man police say was hired to kill Musitano, and who was also the shooter in a botched hit in Vaughan that killed innocent bystander Mila Barberi. Michael Cudmore fled to Mexico before police had a warrant for his arrest and later died there. It is common for the Mafia to hire outside criminals to carry out hits and other acts of violence.

In Hamilton, at Bixby’s Airport Road home, police found two vehicles used in surveillance and to purchase trackers used in Angelo’s murder. Bixby was arrested and questioned, but he told police he was in jail at the time and suggested someone else must have parked the cars on his property. He was let go unconditionally.

Bixby now faces charges of trafficking meth and cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to traffic meth and cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and multiple counts of failing to comply with court orders.

Another alleged leader, 38-year-old David Langhorn, faces similar charges. Langhorn also faces a charge of possession of ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking and possession of counterfeit money.

The third alleged leader, 43-year-old Dwayne Smith, faces multiple charges of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking — including, meth, fentanyl, codeine, oxycodone and psilocybin. He also faces multiple firearm charges including two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a prohibited device (extended magazines).

The RCMP said Smith was a “full patch Hells Angel” at the time of his arrest.

The Spectator has confirmed that Smith is thought to be an original member of the North End Crew (NEC). Cudmore was also tied to the gang, which is known for its close ties to Hells Angels. Members of the Hamilton chapter of the motorcycle gang are said to be recruited from NEC
.
The CFSEU is a newly-formed combined unit that includes RCMP, Hamilton, Niagara, Brantford and Six Nations police, along with the Canada Border Services Agency. It investigates and gathers intelligence on organized crime and the highest-threat crime in the Golden Horseshoe.

The investigation is ongoing and RCMP say there is a potential for further charges.

Nicole O’Reilly is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com

Bakersfield Hells Angels held man at gunpoint, blinded him in right eye during robberies: docs

Jason Kotowski July 15, 2024
https://www.yahoo.com/news/bakersfield-hells-angels-held-man-190022771.html

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Hells Angels claim all they did was remove property belonging to them.
Authorities call it robbery and assault.

And they have a possible motive — retaliation against a former member who was kicked out of the biker gang.
According to sheriff’s reports, members of the Bakersfield chapter of the Hells Angels went to their former clubhouse — they moved to a new location about a year ago — five times from March 1 to April 11.

The removed Hells Angels member was in jail at the time they visited, the reports say. But they encountered an older man who now lives on the property and who tried to stop them.

On their first visit, a member of the gang punched the man then held a .357-caliber handgun to his head, the reports say.

On the final visit, one of the gang members — angry upon finding a signed Willie Nelson guitar he believed the man had hidden — punched and blinded him — at least temporarily — in his right eye, according to the reports filed in Superior Court.

The entire Bakersfield chapter of the Hells Angels was arrested and charged with robbery, assault with a gun, false imprisonment of an elder or dependent adult and gang participation.

Those arrested were Ricardo Alvarez, 42, Armando Villasenor, 55, Joseph Soto Sr., 57, Joseph Soto Jr., 33, Joshua Zavala, 31, and John Seeger, 57. A seventh suspect, Joshua Vaughn, 37, was already in custody.

Alvarez, Villasenor, the Sotos and Zavala are patched members of the gang, officials say, while Vaughn and Seeger belong to the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Cub — which takes orders from the Hells Angels.

Court hearings for Alvarez, Villasenor, Zavala and Vaughn are scheduled later this month. The Sotos and Seeger are due back in court in August.

Alvarez is identified in the documents as president of the Bakersfield chapter, and Villasenor as vice president.
Held at gunpoint and assaulted

The older man — the reports say he’s around 70 — living at the former clubhouse property told investigators Alvarez, Villasenor, Zavala and Vaughn first showed up on March 1. Alvarez told him they were they to collect “club stuff.” He told him to open the gate.

Apparently the man didn’t cooperate — the redactions in this portion of the report make it difficult at times to determine what happened — because Alvarez allegedly jumped the fence, punched him then put a gun to his head and cocked the hammer.

Believing he’d be killed if he didn’t do what the gang wanted, the man walked with them back to his home. Someone watched over him while armed with a “dead-blow” hammer — a mallet typically used for auto repair work — while the others removed items, he told investigators.

He said they stole numerous personal items.

Before leaving, Alvarez said, “If you call the cops or anybody, I’ll come back and (redacted) house (redacted) you in it,” the man told investigators.

The man said the gang members arrived twice more in March, then twice in April.

On one occasion, the man said, he tried to stop them from stealing a motorcycle. He said Vaughn drew a gun, chambered a round then pointed it at him. The man said he didn’t argue further.

On April 11 — the last time they showed up — Zavala found a signed Willie Nelson guitar and accused the man of hiding it. The man said Zavala punched him in the right eye, blinding him.

“To this day (May 13), (the man) cannot see out of his right eye,” the reports say.

Arrests made, guns and gang items seized

On June 25, more than 150 law enforcement officers from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served eight warrants at multiple locations in Bakersfield, making arrests and seizing items.

Vaughn was already in custody on charges of assault with a gun stemming from a separate incident.

Numerous weapons and dozens of items of gang paraphernalia — emblazoned with the gang’s distinctive “Death’s Head” logo — were seized. Among the paraphernalia were Hells Angels vests, shirts, hats, patches, beanies, skateboard, posters and a picture of founding member Sonny Barger.

Items taken from the old clubhouse were located, the reports say.

Authorities set up a command post at the Kern County Fairgrounds and questioned the suspects.

Villasenor said it had been a long time since he’d gone to the former clubhouse. He said they removed all club property months ago.

According to him, they did nothing wrong.

“Villasenor explained ‘their property’ that was at (redacted) belonged to the Hells Angels Corporation; when a member is removed, they are to get their property back for the club,” the reports say.

The former member, whose name is redacted, “did something that did not coincide with their club,” Villasenor told investigators. (There’s a brief mention in another section of the reports of the former member doing something to track down his children, apparently angering other members).

Asked about Zavala taking the guitar, Villasenor appeared shocked, the reports say.
“Josh told you that?” he asked. He said the guitar was won in a raffle.

Villasenor said, “I don’t know if Josh said he might have went another day to get the guitar when we found out about it, but we have no reason to go in there and take anything that did not belong to the club.”

As best he could recall, the man living at the old clubhouse wasn’t injured, Villasenor told investigators. He said an attorney for the Hells Angels could provide authorities with a list of items taken and prove they belonged to the club.

Police investigating cutting outside north Omaha motorcycle club

By 6 News staff reports July 14. 2024

https://www.wowt.com/2024/07/14/police-investigating-cutting-outside-north-omaha-motorcycle-club/
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Police are investigating after a woman was reportedly cut in north Omaha on Sunday morning.
OPD tells 6 News officers were called to the hospital around 4:40 a.m. and spoke with the victim. The 34-year-old female said she’d been cut by a heavy-set Black female near 25th and Ames Avenue about two hours earlier.

Officers located a scene outside of Los-Diablos Motorcycle Club. The victim’s injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Anyone with information is asked to call Omaha Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP or submit a tip online.

Note: This Outlaws MC gathering coincides with Laconia New Hampshire Bike Week which is dominated by the Hells Angels

Rutland prepares for visit from motorcycle group with ties to organized crime

Connor Ullathorne WCAX Burlington, Vermont July. 13, 2024
https://www.wcax.com/2024/07/13/rutland-prepares-visit-motorcycle-group-with-ties-organized-crime/

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Rutland is preparing for a visit from a motorcycle group with ties to organized crime.
City officials say the Outlaws Motorcycle Club is holding its national gathering at the Vermont state fair grounds starting this Thursday.

The group is on multiple federal watchlists with ties to organized crime.

While Rutland’s mayor doesn’t believe any issues will come up during the group’s time in the Marble City, he says it’s better to be prepared.

“Any motorcycle club coming to Rutland to celebrate, to do something at the fair grounds, I think that’s awesome,” Rutland mayor Mike Doenges said. “I think its great that people want to participate. You look at things like Daytona Bike Week or Laconia and those are great economic drivers for those communities. Those communities are prepared for those things though, this is the first time we’ve had something like this in Rutland of this size.”
Doenges says the city is looking at additional law enforcement staffing from July 18 to 20.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.

11 Investigates Exclusive: Pagan lawsuit against Pittsburgh police heading to trial

By Rick Earle, Channel 11 Chief Investigative Reporter July 11, 2024
https://www.wpxi.com/news/investigates/11-investigates-exclusive-pagan-lawsuit-against-pittsburgh-police-heading-trial/IDUVW62AEFHMPLHRSUK7R4F6IA/

PITTSBURGH — It’s been more than five years since that wild bar room brawl caught on surveillance video between undercover Pittsburgh police officers and members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club at a bar on the South Side.

A federal judge recently ruled that a civil lawsuit filed by the Pagans, accusing police of excessive force, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution will proceed to trial.

“We’re ecstatic. We cannot wait to bring this case to trial. I think that if people pay attention that they will be enlightened during the course of the trial,” said Marty Dietz, an attorney for one of the Plaintiffs.

Discover
The city argued the suit should be dismissed, but a judge after viewing surveillance videos of the altercation disagreed, writing in the order, “The court has reviewed them all. The suggestion that they support a grant of summary judgment in favor of the defendant officers, strains credulity. the officers’ motion is without merit.”
The judge also addressed what she called, “the alarming quantity of alcohol consumed by defendants while on duty.”
According to court documents, one officer had 15 double shots of hard liquor.

The other three undercover officers had 20, 15 and nine drinks, respectively.

The judge also wrote, “Questions of material fact remain regarding the degree to which defendants’ intoxication affected their judgment and conduct.”

“It’s unequivocal that these officers were on duty and it’s unequivocal that they drank obscene amounts of alcohol for somebody that’s working on duty,” said Dietz.

The officers said they were conducting an undercover drug operation when they encountered the Pagans and a fight broke out.

Charges against the pagans were eventually withdrawn.

The Allegheny County district attorney and the U.S. Attorney declined to file charges against the police officers.
Attorney Dietz said the city’s policy at the time allowing undercover officers to drink without restrictions will be a central issue at trial.

“The judge agreed with us and agreed with our position that the city’s policy of allowing these undercover officers at least creates a trial issue as to whether that policy is responsible for violating our client’s rights,” said Dietz.

The city declined to comment on pending litigation.

No trial date has been set.

Motorcycle Gang Rivalry Boils Over At Wyoming Truck Stop

When members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club came across a man wearing a Hell’s Angels jacket at a Wamsutter truck stop, the rivalry between the gangs boiled over. Now seven Mongols face felony charges for robbery and intimidation.

Clair McFarland Cowboy State Daily July 12, 2024
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/07/12/motorcycle-gang-rivalry-boils-over-at-wyoming-truck-stop/

A motorcycle gang rivalry between a Hell’s Angels fan and the Mongols Motorcycle Club in Wamsutter, Wyoming, broke out last month during a confrontation at a local truck stop, authorities say.

Now a seven Oregon men associated with the Mongols are each facing felony robbery charges and a misdemeanor of intimidating people to advance a street gang’s interests in Sweetwater County District and Circuit courts.

Those charged are:
• Richard Gonzales, 40
• Bryan Grimaud, 40
• Jereme Paul Robertson, 26
• James Royster, 33
• Justin Frank Graham, 41
• Yan Eric Davis, 28
• Dana Clark, 29

On June 4, a man wearing a black leather vest with patches that said “Support Hell’s Angels” and “F*** the Rules” pulled up to the Love’s Travel Center in Wamsutter on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, its front wheel decorated with red skulls.

The man went into the shop to use the bathroom, and when he came out, a group of men in Mongols attire had surrounded his motorcycle, according to an evidentiary affidavit filed in the case.

They demanded to see the man’s vest; and they reportedly noticed his Hell’s Angels patch.

Some Mongols standing behind the motorcyclist removed the vest from his body, the affidavit says.
The man then reportedly told the Mongols members they could keep the vest, but he needed the key ring inside the pocket, which included key fobs to his Harley, his Chrysler and other keys and bobbles.

But they took the keys and the vest, allegedly.

Some of the club members also tried to remove the red skulls from the motorcyclist’s front wheel but they didn’t succeed, the document says.

“If we see you again it could be bad,” one of the Mongols told the man, the affidavit relates.

When speaking with police later, the man said he believed the Mongols took his vest as a trophy.

The man reportedly wasn’t a member of the Hell’s Angels, just a fan of the group.

Surrounded

Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Deputy Ana Lindig reviewed Love’s surveillance video and later matched the men’s appearances to their booking photos, the affidavit says.

But while the search was on, Lindig and other law enforcement agents found and stopped a cluster of motorcycles riding with a grey truck that was hauling a motorcycle on a trailer, says the document.

The riders were wearing Mongols Motorcycle Club vests, and agents found the man’s black vest with the Hell’s Angels patches inside the grey truck with the keys still in its pocket, reportedly.

Cocaine And Mushrooms And Stuff

All of the Mongols face a felony robbery charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and another charge of intimidating people to advance a street gang’s interests, punishable by up to one year in prison.

Some of the men also face drug charges for alleged drug discoveries pursuant to a warranted search of the truck.

Davis is accused of possessing more than three 3 of Dextroamphetamine, which police say they found in a black leather toiletry bag found on the truck’s floorboard with Yan Davis’ name embroidered onto it.

The possession charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Court documents accuse Clark of having than 3 grams of cocaine on him, a misdemeanor amount carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.

Grimauld could face up to three years in prison and $3,000 in fines on suspicion of trying to sneak 1.7 grams of cocaine into the Sweetwater County Detention Center.

A deputy was pat-searching Grimaud inside the jail pre-booking area and found a small, clear bag containing a white powdery substance in the right front coin pocket of his pants that tested presumptive positive for cocaine.

Taking drugs into a jail is punishable by up to three years in prison and $3,000 in fines.
One agent allegedly found a sandwich-sized clear baggie containing 7.7 grams of psilocybin mushrooms in Gonzales’ possession, which adds a misdemeanor mushroom charge to his court file.

Ongoing

The men’s cases are ongoing. Grimaud’s case rose to the felony-level Sweetwater County District Court on July 2.

Royster had an arraignment Monday.

Robertson’s case rose to the felony-level court Tuesday. Graham’s case did the same June 17.

Davis’ case is still at the circuit court level, but his preliminary hearing is set for July 17.
Gonzales’ preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 7.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.

7 Oregon Mongols MC Members Arrested in Wyoming For Robbery of Hells Angels Supporter

Former Galatasaray star Sneijder had ties to outlaw motorcycle gang: report

By Turkish Minute July 11, 2024

Former Galatasaray star Sneijder had ties to outlaw motorcycle gang: report

Wesley Sneijder, a former Dutch footballer who played for Galatasaray, has been linked to the Comanchero Motorcycle Club, an outlaw biker gang involved in international crime, according to the pro-government Sabah newspaper, citing a report by Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Comanchero for crimes including international drug trafficking and money laundering. The probe revealed that Sneijder was allegedly a secret partner in the gang’s money laundering activities.

In November of last year 55 suspects were detained, and assets worth approximately 4.5 billion lira were seized. Among these suspects were the gang’s leaders, Hakan Reis, also known as Hakan Ayık, and Duax Ngakuru. Eighteen of the suspects were arrested, and 22 were released under judicial supervision.

MASAK’s report indicates that the gang laundered millions of dollars from drug trafficking through companies in Turkey. One of the companies involved was Borhan Group Yatırım A.Ş., founded by Yunus Emre Borhan, who was detained during last year’s operations. MASAK investigators found that Borhan’s companies received substantial funds from various sources, including $1,181,428 from Sneijder.

Despite public information suggesting that Sneijder was a partner in Econ Gayrimenkul Yatırım, a subsidiary of Borhan Group, his name did not appear in official trade registry records. This discrepancy led MASAK to conclude that Sneijder was a secret partner in the company.

Borhan confirmed in his testimony that he had a childhood friendship with Hakan Arif Tavukçu, who introduced him to Sneijder. Borhan said Tavukçu later sold his shares in Econ to Sneijder for $1,181,428, corroborating the financial transactions uncovered by MASAK.

Sneijder, who played for Galatasaray from 2013 to 2017, allegedly facilitated the introduction of Borhan to another suspect, Çetin Gören, who was sought under an INTERPOL Red Notice. Borhan admitted to borrowing 100,000 lira from Gören, which he later repaid, but denied knowledge of Gören’s involvement in drug trafficking.

The Comanchero Motorcycle Club, founded in Australia, has a long history of violence and criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violent clashes with rival gangs like the Hells Angels. The gang has expanded its operations to Southeast Asia and Europe, including Turkey.

Motorcycle gang leader sentenced to 13 years in prison for cocaine smuggling

Police seized amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana and nearly 200,000 euros in cash from the group.

https://yle.fi/a/74-20099282

Helsinki District Court has sentenced several people to lengthy prison terms in a drug case related to an international motorcycle club called the Outlaws.

According to Thursday’s verdict, the men sold or otherwise distributed tens of kilos of amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis around Finland.

Last autumn, some of the drugs, including 20 kilogrammes of cocaine, were transported by private plane to Hyvinkää Airfield, about 60km north of Helsinki.

According to the police, some members of the drug ring belonged to a criminal organisation called Outlaws MC. Authorities say it is one of the oldest criminal organisations, along with the Hells Angels and Bandidos.

The longest sentence, 13 years, was handed to a 51-year-old man who, according to the verdict, served as the leader of the Frontline chapter of the Finnish Outlaws MC and played a key role in the national group.

Finnish news agency STT reported that the man has posted pictures of himself on social media in which he is wearing an Outlaws vest, posing in front of a club facility abroad with other European Outlaws leaders.

Police said that the drugs were stored in Jyväskylä and distributed around the country, mainly to the capital region.

Police seized 76.6 kilos of amphetamines, 15 kilos of cocaine and seven kilograms of marijuana as well as more than 190,000 euros in cash from the group.

Defendant: “Outlaws MC is not a criminal group”

The man has denied committing any serious drug crimes and argued that Outlaws MC is not a criminal group — but the court disagreed.

The Finnish Outlaws group claims on its website that it is not a criminal organisation but a motorcycle club. According to the site, Outlaws has four chapters in Finland, among some 300 worldwide.

Two weeks ago, 34 people were sentenced to prison for their roles in two gangs that smuggled drugs in from Sweden.

Indiana high court tosses appeal of North Vernon gang leader’s 120-year sentence

By Staff Reports July 6, 2024
https://www.therepublic.com/2024/07/06/indiana-high-court-tosses-appeal-of-north-vernon-gang-leaders-120-year-sentence/

NORTH VERNON — A North Vernon man sentenced to 120 years in prison for a murder conviction stemming from his involvement in a 2021 shootout in Dupont must serve his sentence after the Indiana Supreme Court last month declined to consider his appeal, letting the judgment stand.

Michael J. “Billy Goat” Karnuth, 35, led a criminal biker gang, authorities said, at the time of the June 22, 2021 killing of Dustin B. Lindner, 35, of Georgetown, Kentucky. Authorities said Lindner was a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club who was fatally shot while he accompanied Karnuth, president of the Heavy Hitters chapter of the Warlocks Motorcycle Club, and others who had planned to attack another motorcycle club member.

After a trial, a jury in Jefferson Circuit Court in Madison convicted Karnuth of murder, attempted burglary committed while armed with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery committed while armed with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of justice. Judge Donald J. Mote sentenced Karnuth to 60 years on the murder charge enhanced by another 60 years because the jury also determined Karnuth was a member of a criminal organization whose crimes furthered the interests of the organization.

The jury convicted Karnuth after the judge provided an instruction on the law regarding accomplice liability under Indiana’s felony murder statute. That law provides that a person may be charged and convicted of murder if someone is killed in the act of committing or attempting to commit a number of felonies — including burglary.

Among other things, Karnuth challenged that jury instruction and argued on appeal that the evidence was insufficient to support his murder conviction or the enhancement for the criminal organization element of his sentence. He also argued his sentence was inappropriate in light of his character or the nature of the crimes.
A three-judge panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected Karnuth’s arguments and upheld his sentence in March, after which he petitioned the state Supreme Court to review his case.

The justices in a 4-1 decision on June 19 declined to accept Karnuth’s appeal, with Chief Justice Loretta Rush casting the lone vote to hear the case.

According to evidence presented at trial, trouble started when Karnuth talked with another man, Shawn Rudis, outside a gas station in North Vernon. Rudis showed Karnuth his tattoos associated with the Warlocks, “and was, by his own admission, antagonistic toward Billy Goat,” acccording to the probable cause affidavit filed in court by Indiana State Police.

After this confrontation, in which other local gang members became involved, Karnuth “spent weeks gathering information on Rudis’ whereabouts and organizing the pursuit of Rudis,” according to evidence presented at trial. When Rudis had been located, Karnuth and three other gang members, including Lindner, met at Karnuth’s residence at Country Squire Lakes in the 2100 block of Country Manor Street in North Vernon.

Believing Rudis wasn’t a club member, investigators said one of the people who met at Karnuth’s residence told them that Lindner persuaded the group to “go down there, beat the (expletive) out of (Rudis), take his (expletive), and leave.”

This person also told investigators that when he asked Karnuth why the group needed to take guns, Karnuth replied, “he was prepared to shoot back, if needed,” the affidavit said. The group also planned to ensure that Rudis’ tattoos associated with the Warlocks and Pagans motorcycle clubs “were removed,” the affidavit says.

Subsequently, a group of five biker gang members arrived at Rudis’ residence on John Deere Road in Dupont, about 10 miles south of North Vernon, around midnight June 22, 2021.

Investigators said those who arrived on the scene walked the property looking for Rudis, who was waiting with a rifle inside a shed.

“Rudis remained in the shed, and saw a shadow begin to open a tarp that was covering the entrance of the shed. Rudis stated that he then fired a shot towards the shadow and that he heard a groan,” the affidavit said. “He stated that he didn’t hear anything else for what he believed to be a couple of minutes, and then multiple shots were fired into the shed.

“Rudis stated that he then called 911. While he was on the phone with 911, Rudis stated that he fired an additional shot,” which hit one of the gang member’s vehicles, the affidavit said. Rudis “started screaming at them and … after a while the vehicles left.”

When authorities arrived, they found Lindner on the property, fatally shot.

Authorities soon executed a search warrant on Karnuth’s residence that turned up evidence connected to firearms that had been ditched after the shootout, as well as Warlocks Motorcycle Club evidence, including clothing and business cards. State Police investigators also found Lindner’s vehicle at Karnuth’s residence and evidence of firearms that had been ditched in nearby waters.

According to the Indiana Department of Correction, Karnuth is imprisoned in the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle. His earliest possible projected release date is in the year 2111.

Police presence boosted as Hells Angels roll into Lethbridge to open new chapter
Karen Bartko Global News July 10, 2024

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/police-presence-boosted-as-hells-angels-roll-into-lethbridge-to-open-new-chapter/ar-BB1pLw2t

Police from across Canada will be descending upon Lethbridge this weekend as members of the Hells Angels and supporters of the motorcycle gang roll into the southern Alberta city.

“We’re anticipating anywhere from 200 to 300 members,” said acting insp. Pete Christos, who is in charge of the criminal investigations division at the Lethbridge Police Service.

Members of a new Hells Angels chapter in Lethbridge, their support clubs and others are holding a grand opening party and are anticipated to ride during various events over the weekend.

“It just means that they’re looking to establish themselves within our city,” Christos said. “Clubhouses have been identified throughout the city, throughout this country for a long time. For here, we’re prepared to deal with this as it evolves.”

The Hells Angels is the world’s largest outlaw motorcycle gang and has several junior support clubs below it. Peter Edwards, organized crime reporter with the Toronto Star and an author of several books on organized crime, likens it to the NHL having the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.

The organization’s well-known criminal history ranges from white-collar crime like fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, contraband smuggling, extortion, and illegal gambling to more serious offences like drug trafficking, assault and murder.

Police said the gang uses its interest in motorcycles as a cover for illegal activities. The Hells Angels is widely known to utilize support clubs and associate clubs to distance themselves from criminal acts they’re engaged in.
Christos said investigators have been aware of the Hells Angels’ intentions in Lethbridge for some time now and police are prepared. He did not share where the new clubhouse is located.

Lethbridge police said the gang presence is expected to be highly visible and officers will be assessing any potential threats to public safety on a case-by-case basis.

To that end, officers from the RCMP, ALERT Integrated Gang Enforcement Team, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, Taber Police Service, Camrose Police Service and other Canadian police agencies are heading to Lethbridge.

LPS said the agencies have joined in a coordinated response and will be visible throughout the city to monitor outlaw motorcycle gang members and their activities.

In addition, Section 69.1(1) of the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, enables the exclusion and removal of gang members from licensed establishments such as bars and some restaurants. Police said they will “monitor potential attendance at applicable locations.”

“It has been well documented that many outlaw motorcycle gang members, their friends and associates, are involved in criminal activity,” Christos said. “We will be working with our policing partners to monitor their presence, deter illegal activity and maintain public safety through an overt police presence.

It is expected that a large number of Hells Angels and their supporters will arrive in the city on July 12. The public is asked to be aware of the significant increase in motorcycle traffic and share the road safely.
Christos said it’s believed most will leave after holding their celebration, and the public is advised to leave the visitors alone and not engage with them at all.

“We do have an operational plan in place where we’re going to be monitoring these individuals and their activities so we are well-prepared for this.”

Earlier in the spring, the Hells Angels set up a new clubhouse just outside the city limits of Peterborough, Ont.
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was founded in 1948 in California. The group has around 6,000 members across 467 charters in 59 countries.

In more recent years, the Hells Angels have aimed to keep a low profile since the deadly biker wars over narcotic trafficking in the 1990s, according to Criminologist and former Bloc Québécois MP Maria Mourani.

The fights led to the deaths of more than 160 people between 1994 and 2002, including nine bystanders, according to experts.

The biker gang now prefers to negotiate instead of turning to violence to settle scores, Mourani said, as it’s bad for business.

At the time, Bingham was under three separate court orders – dating back to 2008 – banning him from possessing firearms. And police have previously described him as having ties to The Gatorz, a street gang that was once based in Toronto’s west end.