Category: Gangs in the news…

Organized crime figure Gregory Woolley killed in shooting south of Montreal
Police on scene of shooting in parking lot in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
Erika Morris · CBC News · Posted: Nov 17, 2023 11:33 AM EST
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/gregory-woolley-shooting-1.7031620
A prominent organized crime figure has been killed in a shooting Friday morning in a parking lot in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., according to Radio-Canada.
Multiple sources told Radio-Canada that Gregory Woolley was the victim of the shooting which took place on Boulevard du Séminaire in the city south of Montreal.
Quebec provincial police confirm that a 51-year-old man died.
Images from the scene show police tape in a parking lot and an ambulance on the scene.
Woolley was a member of the Hells Angels and the leader of the Syndicates, a street gang formed by the Hells Angels in the 1990s.

B.C. demolishing former Hells Angels clubhouse in Nanaimo
Minister says government will take action against organized crime ‘brick by brick’
Nanaimo News Staff November 16, 2023
https://www.hopestandard.com/news/bc-demolishing-former-hells-angels-clubhouse-in-nanaimo-7109001

Demolition of the former Hells Angels clubhouse in Nanaimo got underway yesterday.
Heavy machinery was at the location in the city’s south end Wednesday, Nov. 15, and B.C. Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth issued a statement about the demolition of the building, which he said was previously used to co-ordinate criminal activities.
The province legally owns the former Hells Angels clubhouses in Nanaimo, East Vancouver and Kelowna.
“Government will continue to protect British Columbians and take action against organized crime by seizing illegally obtained assets – brick by brick, we will demolish organized crime and those that profit from it,” the minister said.
Farnworth said the forfeiture of the properties is a step in “putting organized crime on notice” in B.C. and said demolishing the Nanaimo clubhouse is a testament to the work of everyone involved, from undercover and anti-gang law enforcement to the police agencies, civil forfeiture office and legal counsel that continued to work on the case.

In need of a Hells Angels expert, Santa Clara County’s DA turned to an Antioch cop on leave in racist text scandal
Thomas Lenderman is among dozens of Antioch officers named in a sprawling racist texting scandal

By JAKOB RODGERS | jrodgers@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
ByAdministrator November 16, 2023
https://fondsbox.com/N8vx1TpPRlyW0_QZxVp_vsck6tLlcek9i6_n79m4Z5I/?cid=2ef8f5e88efdaca5266eee42070090f0&sid=17210843

Unable to hold his Antioch Police Division-issued badge or gun after being named in a sprawling racist texting scandal, Officer Thomas Lenderman has discovered one other approach to put these sidelined policing expertise to work.
He’s testifying as Santa Clara County prosecutors’ hand-picked gang skilled in a case towards members of the Hells Angels Bike Membership and the group’s alleged ties to 2 brutal beatings throughout a Chris Stapleton live performance final yr at Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheater.
All of this, regardless of Lenderman having spent the previous six months on paid administrative go away from his day job in Antioch.
His testimony in late October and early November marked a brand new twist in one of many Bay Space’s largest police scandals in a long time. Whereas a number of different Antioch officers on go away tried desperately in latest months to keep away from showing in court docket — even going as far as to quote “industrial accidents” for his or her absences — Lenderman put up no such battle.
Reasonably, the officer supplied hours of testimony with the blessing of Santa Clara County Choose David A. Cena, who overruled quite a few objections from protection attorneys on the legality of permitting a police officer to testify as a court-sanctioned skilled whereas on go away amid allegations of misconduct. He stays on go away.
The entire state of affairs appears “weird,” mentioned LaDoris Cordell, a retired Santa Clara County decide and former San Jose impartial police auditor who was not concerned within the case.
Lenderman is amongst a minimum of 44 Antioch law enforcement officials who both despatched or obtained racist, sexist and homophobic textual content messages in recent times, in response to information found throughout an FBI investigation and later obtained by this information group. Lenderman himself obtained a number of messages utilizing the N-word to explain Black residents, together with one which appeared to make mild of police canine biting individuals. One other message he obtained supplied to purchase a primary rib dinner to whoever might shoot Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who’s Black, with a less-lethal foam bullet throughout a protest.
In early September 2020, Lenderman allegedly despatched a textual content to different Antioch officers in regards to the Black Lives Matter motion: “it’s just like the black panthers (sic) however they’re Hispanics and from LA space. They had been in Martinez for the BLM s—,” textual content information present.
Even when it’s been deemed authorized, Cordell mentioned, calling somebody to the stand with a lot baggage makes little sense.
“It’s uncommon — I do know I by no means noticed it,” Cordell mentioned. “And I’m very involved that we’re giving a lot credibility to somebody who, proper now, can’t be on the power due to these very critical allegations.”
The transfer additionally raised questions amongst police reform advocates in regards to the Santa Clara County District Legal professional’s Workplace tolerance for racist texting, on condition that one other officer was lately discovered to ship racist texts in its personal yard. Earlier this month, San Jose police Officer Mark McNamara resigned after sending messages that included the N-word and the assertion “I hate Black individuals.”
“It’s indicative of a DA’s workplace that’s attempting to safe a conviction at any price, and a DA’s workplace that appears fully indifferent and divorced from the truth that’s taking place in the neighborhood,” mentioned Raj Jayadev, an organizer Silicon Valley De-Bug.
In an announcement, Santa Clara County Assistant District Legal professional Stacey Capps burdened {that a} decide overseeing the Hells Angels case dismissed issues in regards to the Antioch officer and certified him as an outlaw bike gang skilled anyway. Lenderman was not paid for his time, past receiving a parking stipend, and had been requested to be an skilled a number of months earlier than being positioned on go away, a DA’s spokesperson mentioned.
“The officer’s pending disciplinary course of and his distinctive and deep experience within the Hells Angels, had been disclosed to the protection and heard by the decide,” Capps’ assertion learn.
Lenderman’s lawyer, Michael Rains, described the officer as “a really properly revered skilled” on bike gangs who “shouldn’t even be on administrative go away” and is “going to be again to work earlier than lengthy.”
Rains mentioned Lenderman’s textual content relating to the Black Lives Matter motion got here as he sought to guard the group’s members from the Hells Angels throughout one in all their protests. And Rains added that Lenderman by no means noticed texts despatched to him with the N-word in them.
A former navy policeman and 22-year veteran of the Antioch Police Division, Lenderman testified that he beforehand investigated about two dozen circumstances involving Hells Angels members since 2018 and spoke repeatedly at regulation enforcement conferences in regards to the bike membership. Regardless of being on go away, Lenderman mentioned he at present had subpoenas to testify in three counties.
His look in Santa Clara County, on the behest of deputy district lawyer Irene Williams, marked his fifth time being certified as an skilled in court docket. The earlier 4 occasions had been in Contra Costa County — 3 times as an skilled on outlaw bike gangs, and as soon as to give attention to the Norteno avenue gang.
His testimony this fall centered on the Hells Angels and reputed members accused in a number of beatings on June 18, 2022, at Shoreline Amphitheater.
Authorities suspect a number of Hells Angels members beat an off-duty police officer on the present earlier than one in all them allegedly killed a Bakersfield man with a single punch to the pinnacle, in response to court docket paperwork. A decide is anticipated to determine Thursday whether or not sufficient proof exists to ship the defendants — Raymond Cunanan, Dominic Guardado and Logan Winterton — to trial on fees that modify for every individual and vary from dissuading a witness to homicide.
Cody Salfen, a protection lawyer for Cunanan, criticized the Santa Clara County District Legal professional’s Workplace for being “keen to show a blind eye to what’s blatant racism and blatant bias in policing,” including that prosecutors’ determination to place Lenderman on the stand “defies logic” and “taints the properly.”
If something, the choice to rely so closely on Lenderman presents dangers for prosecutors, mentioned Steven Clark, a former Santa Clara County prosecutor.
“Normally you need your specialists to be squeaky clear, as a result of the entire challenge is credibility,” mentioned Clark, now a non-public lawyer and authorized analyst. “You need them to be believed by the jury, and also you don’t need to name an skilled who’s going to be dismantled on cross examination in the event you don’t must.”

Denver motorcycle bar shootout: 2 alleged shooters identified, face first degree murder charges

BY JESSE SARLES NOVEMBER 15, 2023 / CBS COLORADO

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/shon-mcpherson-todd-washington-hells-lovers-bar-fatal-shootout-denver-park-hill-neighborhood-michael-david-joshua-batts/

The two men who are suspected of shooting several people outside a motorcycle bar in northeast Denver this month are facing first degree murder charges. The Denver District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday that Shon McPherson and Todd Washington are the suspects in the double fatal shooting.

Seven people were hit by bullets when the shots rang out on Nov. 5 in the Park Hill neighborhood outside Hell’s Lovers bar at 5514 East 33rd Avenue. McPherson and Washington were among those who sustained gunshot wounds. Three others were hurt and Michael David, 43, and Joshua Batts, 39, were killed.
DA Beth McCann said in a prepared statement that the “senseless” shooting was a case of the suspects trying “to solve disputes with firearms,” which indicates prosecutors believe McPherson and Washington were shooting at each other.
McPherson and Washington each face numerous counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
A sign outside the bar shortly after the crime read “PRIVATE CLUB H.L. M.C.” It’s not clear if the suspects are members of the Hell’s Lovers motorcycle gang.

2 charged in shooting outside Denver motorcycle club
Prosecutors said Todd Washington, 40, and Shon McPherson, 32, are each charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/2-charged-fatal-shooting-denver-motorcycle-club/73-8e797d76-d12c-4d0b-9a9f-04a5f3316401

Author: Angela Case (KUSA), Janet Oravetz (9News)
Published: 5:04 PM MST November 14, 2023
Updated: 6:11 PM MST November 14, 2023

DENVER — Two of the five people who were injured in a shooting that killed two people outside of a Denver motorcycle club this month are now facing first-degree murder charges, the Denver District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.
Prosecutors said Todd Washington, 40, and Shon McPherson, 32, are each charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder in connection with the shooting.
Court documents show each suspect is charged with four counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder.

Michael David, 43, and Joshua Batts, 39, were killed in the shooting early in the morning of Nov. 5 outside of Hell’s Lovers Motorcycle Club on 33rd Avenue in the Park Hill neighborhood. Five people, including the suspects, were injured by gunfire, according to police.

Prosecutors said Washington’s booking photo was not immediately available.
According to an arrest affidavit from Denver police, just after 3 a.m., several women are seen on a video being escorted out of the club. A witness told police she was at the club with Washington’s daughter.

The witness told police that Washington’s daughter was among those who got kicked out. According to the witness, Washington’s daughter called him and expressed anger about a security guard allegedly putting his hands on her, the affidavit says.
About three minutes later, the affidavit says, Washington is seen entering the back parking lot of the business.

Around the same time, two men are seen walking around the front of the business appearing as if they’re “casing it,” the affidavit says. One of them was identified as McPherson. A short time later, McPherson and Washington are seen on video at the front of the business confronting security guards. Both of them are seen in the video holding firearms, the affidavit says.

While they were there, someone exited the club also armed with a gun, the document says. When that happened, Washington raised his firearm and McPherson followed suit. McPherson appeared to fire two shots before anyone was able to return fire, the affidavit says.

Video also shows Washington firing his weapon after McPherson, according to the document.

Based on the video evidence and witness statements, investigators believe that Washington and others devised a plan to re-engage the staff of the club and confront them, the affidavit says.

Both suspects were shot in the chest. McPherson got back into a car and was dropped off at Rose Medical Center for treatment. Washington was taken by ambulance to Denver Health.

Three people inside the club were also struck by gunfire. The affidavit notes that the bullets would have come from the direction that Washington and McPherson were firing.

Funeral arrangements for Bradley Fox are as follows:

Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Hwy Gonzales, LA 70737.

He will be laid to rest at Hope Haven Garden of Memory, 604 E. Hwy 30. Gonzales, LA 70737.

Fairfield police chief says he’ll quit if city forces escort in Hells Angels-involved Christmas toy drive
BY STEVE LARGE NOVEMBER 8, 2023 / CBS SACRAMENTO

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/fairfield-police-chief-says-to-if-city-forces-escort-in-hells-angels-christmas-toy-drive/

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall is putting his job on the line by pledging to quit if the city forces his officers to help with a Christmas toy run. He says it’s because the Hells Angels are involved in it.

“This is a hill I’m willing to die on, and I’m willing to give up my job before I order the police department to do this escort,” Marshall said. “That’s how serious I am about it.”

Over the decades-long Samoa Mission Christmas Toy Run, hundreds of motorcyclists, including Santa, parade down Fairfield streets. Fairfield police have served as an escort in the past. The chief says no more.

The last two years the Hells Angels have been a part of this run, our officers aren’t comfortable escorting the Hells Angels, we have personal indictments on the Hells Angels,” Chief Marshall said.

Mission Samoa director Gene Ahu started the toy drive 19 years ago, and it now serves 400 children.

“My feeling,” Ahu said, “it’s not about the Hells Angels. It’s about the children.”
With no police escort, he’s concerned about the safety of the riders.

“We got to watch out for pedestrians, vehicles, people cutting in between us,” Ahu said.
Last month, four Hells Angels members were arrested on charges of attempted murder in a Sacramento shooting. Earlier this year, four more Hells Angels were indicted in connection with a beating in Solano County.

Ahu says the Hells Angels at his toy drive are there to help children.
“If the Hells Angels or anybody wants to come to support us, we’ll appreciate it. That’s more toys for us,” Ahu said.

“I do not support, ever, any criminal organization. I will not support it now,” Chief Marshall said.

Controversy over a community toy drive, complicating the Christmas spirit.

The city council is standing behind Chief Marshall’s decision. Ahu is now trying to figure out how his organization can do this toy run safely without a police escort. He is also hoping the attention leads to more donations.

Bradley Fox, the long-time Bandidos New Orleans chapter president passed away today after suffering a stroke a few days ago. Bradley was a lifer with more than 40 years in the club, and was without a doubt the shot caller for the Bandidos in Louisiana based on his charter member status. We’re expecting a very large turnout for his funeral – final arrangements are currently being made. The funeral location will be 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, LA 70737, United States, which is approximately 30 minutes south of Baton Rouge, LA. If you need any additional information, please contact me at:  trevor.smith@la.gov  225-921-1041 – Major Trevor Smith Louisiana State Police Special Investigations Division.

NOTORIOUS BANDIDOS BIKER GANG MEMBERS ARE ARRESTED FOR ‘TRAFFICKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF DRUGS FROM SPAIN’S COSTA DEL SOL TO DENMARK’

From their base on the Malaga coast, the gang is reported to have smuggled nearly a tonne of hashish into Scandinavia

By Walter Finch November 8, 2023

https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2023/11/08/netted-bandidos-biker-gang-that-oversaw-wholesale-importation-of-drugs-from-the-costa-del-sol-to-denmark-smashed/
A MEMBER of the notorious ‘Bandidos’ biker gang has been arrested on suspicion of trafficking drugs from the Costa del Sol to Denmark.
The ringleader’s son and four other members of the Danish mafia gang were also ensnared in the raids, including at a property in Marbella.

From their base on the Malaga coast, the gang is reported to have smuggled nearly a tonne of hashish into Scandinavia.

During coordinated raids in both Spain and Denmark, law enforcement came across a significant stash, including €70,000 in cash, a gun, small quantities of narcotics, as well as various computer equipment and documents related to their criminal activities.
The investigation dates back to late 2022, when the Spanish National Police and their Danish counterparts teamed up to bring the gang down.
The probe determined that the operation was headquartered in Marbella and linked to the ‘Bandidos’, a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang with a worldwide membership.

The leader financed the importation of hashish into Spain, and from there he arranged shipments to arrive in Copenhagen – thought to be at least 800 kilograms in total
.
From there, his son took over the importation into the Danish capital where it was delivered into the hands of other trafficking networks.
They would then move the drugs around to the end dealers around the country.

Numerous Bandidos members have been convicted of criminal enterprises, including theft, extortion, prostitution, drug trafficking, and murder in various host nations.

By all accounts, the life of the Bandidos member is full of motorcycle riding, crime, women, drugs, prisons, fights, and shootouts with competitors from other gangs

And, of course, all sorts of cruelty and lawlessness.

Man Stabbed Outside Club Desire in Providence – Hells Angels Reportedly Involved in Fight

Saturday, November 04, 2023 GoLocalProv News Team
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/man-stabbed-outside-club-desire-in-providence-hells-angels-reportedly-invol
A man was stabbed early Saturday morning outside Club Desire in Providence.
According to police, Hells Angels had been involved in a fight that had broken out.

Shortly before 1 AM Saturday morning, a Providence Police officer was alerted to a disturbance at 1 Franklin Square at Club Desire off Allens Avenue.

The officer who arrived said they saw a man “actively fighting with a group of Hells Angels.”
According to police, a member of the club’s security team used mace to break up the fight.
Police said they then saw an individual on the ground suffering from a stab wound.
The victim — a male in his 30s — was taken by rescue to Rhode Island Hospital.
Police say an individual was detained for disorderly conduct; detectives are still continuing to investigate the incident.

Waco biker found guilty in shooting death of Arp motorcyclist
Story by Kristine Guevara, KLTV Digital Media Staff 11.6.23

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – A Waco member of a Texas motorcycle gang was found guilty of participating in the shooting death of an Arp motorcyclist.

Joshua Ray Tibbits, 32, a member of the Cossacks motorcycle gang, was pronounced guilty of engaging in organized crime in connection with the May 2, 2020 shooting death of Brandon Edwards. Edwards was a member of the “Cossacks 1%” and was supposedly impersonating a member of the “real” Cossacks gang. Prosecutors successfully argued that Tibbits and at least one of his co-defendants shot at Edwards from a truck on a Smith County highway.

During Monday’s trial proceedings, Tibbits defense called to the stand Dianna Strain, a forensic science special agent for the FBI. Strain said she reviewed the Smith County Sheriff’s Office’s reports of the investigation and said she found inconsistencies within the evidence collection process, claiming that testimony doesn’t match the crime scene log.

She also testified that there were no bullet impact marks on Edwards’ motorcycle, a trajectory bullet rod wasn’t used during the investigation and that a grid or line search wasn’t conducted, nor was a metal detector used. Strain also testified that other motorcyclists were around the scene that day. Strain’s conclusion was that the Smith County Sheriff’s Office “missed steps” when documenting the crime scene and that, based on the evidence, Tibbits has no connection to this crime.

During cross-examination of Strain by the state, prosecutors pointed out that the FBI has different investigation protocols than the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and that processes will be different due Smith County having a smaller budget than the FBI.
The defense argued again that there is no forensic evidence that shows Tibbits had a gun in his hand and that the investigation was not thorough enough. They argued that, no matter the budget, an investigation should be thorough and properly conducted.