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Friday, September 28, 2018

Policewoman intimidated by Hells Angel MC member

Toronto, Ontario,Canada  (September 28, 2018) BTN — An Hells Angel member who allegedly threatened a Montreal policewoman with a camera in the back last summer will have to explain herself to justice.

Earl Noseworthy, a member in good standing of the East Toronto chapter of the "Angels of Hell", was charged with "intimidating a justice system associate or journalist" on September 17.

Hells Angels MC traffic stop

Absent at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse for his appearance, 52-year-old Noseworthy was represented in court by his lawyer, François Taddeo.

Party in Montérégie

The alleged events date back to August 10 as 500 members and supporters of the country's Hells Angels converged on Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, in Montérégie, for their biggest annual gathering, the "Canada Run".

The police had erected some roadblocks to check the identity of the bikers and inspect their Harley Davidson, including one on Highway 20, at Beloeil.

They also took the opportunity to photograph the intercepted Hells in order to update the police information banks, which is a common practice.

As the bikers drove in groups, these checks could take a while before everyone could leave. Almost all of them have been cooperative.

Playing tough

But the taking of photos did not happen quickly enough to the taste of the accused. According to our sources, Noseworthy would have wanted to play tough with the police SPVM responsible for photographing the Hells.

Police officers witnessed the scene. Other Hells Angels MC members too, and all did not find it funny. One of the leaders of the Ontario bikers' delegation allegedly blamed Noseworthy, who was arrested by the Sûreté du Québec and released.

The Accused: Earl Noseworthy

Biker war

The charge against Earl Noseworthy, who lives in Keswick, near Toronto, is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Judge Gilles Charpentier postponed further judicial proceedings in November.

This offense was added to the Criminal Code in 2002 by the federal government as a result of the murders of two prison guards and the attempted murder of former Montreal Journal reporter Michel Auger during the biker war that killed more than 160 people in Quebec.

Noseworthy is a former member of Hamilton's Satan's Choice, a motorcycle club adsorbed by the Hells Angels in 2000, according to court documents.

SOURCE: TVA Nouvelles

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Ex motorcycle club leader turned snitch arrested

Saskatoon, Canada (September 27, 2018) BTN — A former informant who helped Saskatoon police bring down several motorcycle clubs in the Project Forseti case is now facing 26 weapons-related charges.

Noel Harder, 39, was arrested Tuesday evening after police received reports of a man driving an SUV with a gun.

Police said in a release Wednesday morning they found the SUV parked near the intersection of Powe Street and Rayner Avenue around 5:45 p.m. and conducted a high-risk traffic stop.



The driver was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, ammunition, a knife, an imitation firearm, bear spray, an ax and an undisclosed amount of fentanyl.

Harder was vice president of the Fallen Saints motorcycle club and was working with the Hells Angels motorcycle club when he began working with police in Project Forseti.

The former cocaine dealer recorded conversations with other club members, leading to raids in January 15 and charges against 14 men.

Harder later sued the federal government and RCMP for breaking promises when he was placed into witness protection, claiming officials endangered his life.

When reached by phone Thursday, Harder’s lawyer Tony Merchant said he wasn’t aware of the charges against his client.

“As I understand it, (Harder) had indicated that for his own defence he needed to have a weapon and the prosecutor knew that,” he said.

Harder is expected to make his third court appearance Thursday afternoon in Saskatoon Provincial Court.

SOURCE: CKOM

Starting his scoot

A club member starting his motorcycle 

Anti-bikie laws passed by Tasmanian Parliament

Tasmania, Australia (September 27, 2018) BTN — Anti-consorting laws designed to combat Motorcycle Clubs is gaining a foothold in Tasmania have passed through State Parliament.

The state's Legislative Council agonised over the legislation late into Wednesday night before holding a final vote on Thursday morning.


The House of Assembly then ticked off on changes made by the Upper House on Thursday afternoon.

The quick passage of this bill, which was only tabled in Parliament 10 days ago, follows legislation passed at the end of August to outlaw motorcycle gang members from wearing colours.

The Government hopes the anti-consorting bill will disrupt organised crime groups such as motorcycle clubs by making it illegal for a convicted offender to consort with another convicted offender within five years of being given an official warning notice.

Five amendments to the bill made by the Legislative Council were accepted by the House of Assembly on Thursday, including one that would allow a court to issue a stay on a warning notice if it was being appealed by the recipient.

Police Minister Michael Ferguson described the amendment as unnecessary and unwarranted and said he was "not happy" about it, but reluctantly agreed to ensure the bill would pass.

Upper House agonises over bill

Debate in the Legislative Council inched forward late into Wednesday night, with individual words in the legislation being singled out and objected to by Labor and independent members alike amid widespread concerns about civil rights, unintended consequences and the powers of law enforcement authorities in relation to a number of clauses and sub-clauses.

Leader of Government Business Leonie Hiscutt told opponents the Government was "very disappointed" by their stonewalling, repeatedly defending the legislation as having "the most safeguards of all the state and territories in the country".



"Police have done an enormous amount of work on this ... there's still misunderstandings of the bill," she said.

In an at-times emotional marathon sitting, independent member for Huon, Robert Armstrong, who identifies as Aboriginal, warned members they could "put the whole Aboriginal community offside" with the debate over a particular sub-clause involving traditional Aboriginal definitions of family.

"I'm not quite sure how to put this across because I've got to be careful," he said.

"It's a very sensitive issue and you could put the whole Aboriginal community offside. I just warn people ... don't dig too deep here."

'We're between a rock and a hard place'

Ms Hiscutt told the House the Tasmanian Bar had raised concerns about "possible inequities" if the bill was expanded to include a broader definition of family "to include extended family such as uncles, aunts, cousins of Aboriginal people only, creating an inequity between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people".

"It would not be appropriate to allow the extended definition of family for one race of people but only immediate family member relations for others."

Ms Hiscutt said it was important not to offend but that a "broader concept of extended family" would widen the defence substantially, rendering the proposed consorting laws ineffective. But she also said "if it's the tradition, it will be respected".

Labor accused the Government of failing to consult with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community over the proposed legislation, demanding proof it had spoken with Aboriginal leaders. Independent MP Rob Valentine told the House the issue was "a very sensitive thing" and "in a sense it puts us between a rock and a hard place".

"I'm going to support the Government's amendment ... at the end of the day, it will be the Government that will have to deal with how they've chosen to go forward on this," he said.

SOURCE: ABC.net

Hells Angels MC associate charged following raid

Lilyvale, NSW. (September 27, 2018) BTN — A Hells Angels bikie has been charged after Strike Force Raptor located a rifle and an air file during a search warrant at Lilyvale, near Helensburgh.

Earlier this month, investigators from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation following reports of illicit firearm supply involving the Hells Angels motorcycle club.
Strike Force Raptor executed a search warrant at a property at Lilyvale about 6.45am yesterday.


During the search, police located and seized a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition, a lever action air rifle and pellets, and steroids. A 30-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Sutherland Police Station.

The man, who is an associate of the Hells Angels MC, was charged with two counts each of possess unregistered firearm (non-prohibited, not pistols), Possess ammunition without holding a valid license/permit/authority, and not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm/pistol, and possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and is to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.

Inquiries are continuing.

SOURCE: The Leader

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Three in custody, including MC member in 2016 double murder

Apache Junction, AZ. (September 26, 2018) BTN — The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says three men have been identified in connection with a 2016 double homicide in Apache Junction.

According to the sheriff's office, 31-year-old Clint Wendelschafer, a member of the Loose Cannons MC, was arrested on Tuesday near Ellsworth and Adobe roads in Mesa. He was wanted for his involvement in the murders of 51-year-old Keith Andrew Long and 45-year-old Renae Gardner in May 2016.


Long and Gardner were asleep when they were shot and killed at their Apache Junction home. Sheriff's office says their bodies were eventually dumped in separate places; Long's body was found in a canal in San Tan Valley and Gardner's body was found along the Beeline Highway.

During the investigation, officials learned that 33-year-old Nicholas Douglas of San Tan Valley and 41-year-old Demian Blu of Apache Junction were at the scene at the time of the murders. Several days later, Blu and Douglas reportedly went back to dump the bodies and clean up the scene.

Loose Cannons MC Back Patch

Wendelschafer is facing charges of assisting in a street gang and conspiracy to commit murder.

Blu is in custody for burglary, assisting in a street gang, concealment of a body, and hindering prosecution of first degree murder. Douglas is in Arizona Department of Corrections custody for an unrelated weapons offense.

All three will face additional charges.

SOURCE: ABC15

Cop fired that placed gun to a HAMC member's head

Euclid, Ohio (September 26, 2018) BTN — Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail has fired a city police officer after he pulled out a gun during a fight with suspected members of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club at a Willoughby bar last month.

Todd Gauntner, 32, was charged with using a weapon while under intoxication in an incident that happened in the early morning hours of Aug. 24 at Frank and Tony's Place on 2nd Street in Willoughby, Willoughby police said.

Gauntner and two other men -- Dustin Wolf, 28, and Bradley Peterson, 39 -- got into an argument that turned into a physical brawl police said.

Back Patch of an Ohio member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club

Officers went to the bar about 1 a.m. to investigate a report of a large fight involving several men. A bartender told the investigators that someone pulled out a gun and put it to someone's head, according to a Willoughby police report. Gauntner did not use his department-issued gun in the incident, the report says.

"You initiated the incident with the two men who were alleged members of the Hells Angels organization by making disparaging comments to them," Gail wrote in the one-page letter dated Sept. 17. "You also had the opportunity to remove yourself from the situation but failed to do so...You put yourself and many bar patrons at a significant risk of substantial harm due to your reckless behavior."

SOURCE: Cleveland.com

Monday, September 24, 2018

Former Bandidos MC vice president gets life sentence

San Antonio, Texas (September 24, 2018) BTN — A federal judge has sentenced the former National Vice President of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization to life in prison, the Department of Justice announced Monday.


59-year-old John Xavier Portillo will serve two consecutive life sentences, plus twenty years, for racketeering and drug trafficking charges. Portillo was also ordered to forfeit his motorcycle, three firearms, and $17,827.20 seized from his residence in 2016.


Jurors convicted Portillo and National Bandidos President Jeffrey Fay Pike on 13 charges in May after a nearly three-month trial. Pike faces up to life in prison and is set to be sentenced September 26.

“The sentencing of Bandidos National Vice President Xavier Portillo is one more step in concluding a comprehensive investigation by DEA, FBI and our law enforcement partners into the leadership structure and criminal activities of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang,” said Will Glaspy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Houston Division.

“This investigation reflects law enforcement's commitment to make sure communities across Texas are safe and prevent gang members involved in drug distribution and other criminal activity from establishing a foothold in our communities."

News Article written by KHOU11 

Read the full release from the Department of Justice:


Finks MC members charged over road rage incident

Lithgow, NSW (September 24, 2018) BTN — Four members of the Finks MC have been charged by Strike Force Raptor over an alleged road rage incident in the Blue Mountains.

Just before 3.30pm on Saturday, June 9, a group of Finks MC members and associates were travelling city bound on motorcycles and in cars on the Great Western Highway, Blaxland, when they allegedly became involved in an altercation with the occupants of a white BMW at traffic lights at Layton Avenue.

Confiscated vest of a Finks MC Member

A short time later, officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command drove across the incident and spoke to those who were on scene, however, many of the riders had already left the scene. Police were told the BMW and one of the bikes collided, causing the rider to come off the bike. He was not injured.

Members of the group then allegedly hit and kicked the BMW while the occupants remained inside.
Officers from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor also attended the scene and assisted with speaking to the remaining members of the group before commencing an investigation.

During the searches, police seized Finks MC colours and paraphernalia, cannabis, and other items relevant to the investigation.

Three Finks MC members – aged 22, 27, and 47 – were arrested during the operation and taken to Riverstone Police Station.

An unidentified Finks MC member is arrested
The 27-year-old man was charged with affray and destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group.

He appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, September 22.

The 22-year-old man was charged with affray, knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime, and possess prohibited drug.

The 47-year-old man was charged with affray, destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group, and possess prohibited drug.
They were granted strict conditional bail and are due to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday, October 10.

A fifth search warrant was executed at a home at Dapto, where investigators arrested a 20-year-old man.

He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

The man, who is a Finks MC prospect, was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday, October 17.

Inquiries are continuing and further arrests are expected.

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.


Bandidos MC Leader could get life in prison

San Antonio, Texas (September 24, 2018) BTN — The Bandidos Motorcycle Club’s former second in command, a San Antonio man who directed the biker group’s violent racketeering enterprise, including drug dealing, extortion, beatings and murder, is expected to be sentenced Monday to life in prison.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra is scheduled to sentence John Xavier Portillo, the national vice president of the Bandidos, at a morning hearing. Portillo, 58, served as second in command for national president Jeffrey Fay Pike, 62, of Conroe, who led the club for more than a decade.

Bandidos Motorcycle Club Colors

Both were convicted after a three-month federal trial in San Antonio of ordering and sanctioning a racketeering conspiracy that aimed at keeping the biker club's stronghold on its home turf of Texas. The trial showed that the Bandidos, once the second-largest biker club in the world behind the Hell’s Angels, split off from its international chapters in Europe and Australia because of turmoil in the ranks.

By the time Pike became president in 2005, law officers estimated the Bandidos had 5,000 members in 210 chapters, located in 22 countries. But by 2016 — six years after Pike first sought to break away from most of the international chapters — the Bandidos had dropped to 100-plus chapters and more than 1,000 members mostly in the United States and parts of Latin America.

Despite its smaller numbers, the Bandidos still exerted clout. Texas’ deadliest biker shootout occurred while Portillo and Pike were at the helm. Neither Pike nor Portillo were at the May 17, 2015, shootout at Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco that involved other Bandidos, members of the Cossacks Motorcycle Club, some of their support clubs, and police. That incident resulted in nine bikers being killed, 20 injured and nearly 200 being arrested on state charges of engaging in organized crime in prosecutions that have yet to result in any convictions.

None of the charges against Pike and Portillo were for the Twin Peaks shootout, and during the federal trial, the two Bandidos leaders challenged the government’s contention that they were the bosses of what the feds called “the mafia on two wheels.” The pair denied ordering, authorizing or sanctioning the criminal activity of their fellow Bandidos, and Pike claimed local Bandidos chapters were autonomous and didn’t act on orders of national leaders.

But federal witnesses that included ex-Bandidos and wiretaps of Portillo’s phone, along with body-wire recordings worn by cooperating witnesses, helped sway jurors to agree with prosecutors.

The federal jury convicted Pike and Portillo of conspiracy to murder and assault of members and associates of the Cossacks. Government witnesses testified that Portillo, with Pike’s approval, declared in 2013 or 2014 — before the Waco incident — that the Bandidos were “at war” with the Cossacks. According to that testimony, a number of violent acts — before and after the Waco gunfight — were committed by Bandidos around Texas in furtherance of this “war,” including in Fort Worth, Gordon, Odessa, Port Aransas and Crystal City.

John Xavier Portillo, former national vice president of the Bandidos, arrives at the San Antonio federal courthouse for the first day of his racketeering trial on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018.

Among the murders the jury heard about were that of Geoffrey Brady, a supporter of the Cossacks shot by Bandidos members in December 2014 at a Fort Worth bar; street gang member Robert Lara, who was shot by Bandidos in Atascosa County on Jan. 31, 2002; and Anthony Benesh, a purported Hell’s Angels member who was shot outside an Austin restaurant by other Bandidos on March 18, 2006.

The clashes cited in the federal trial were over the Cossacks wearing patches on their biker vests that said “Texas,” which is considered the territory, and home base, of the Bandidos. Defense evidence showed Pike, at one point, had approved of Cossacks wearing the Texas “bottom rocker,” or patch, but at least one government witness testified that relations soured: Some Bandidos were angry that permission was granted for Cossacks to wear the patch, and because the Cossacks’ Texas patch was larger than the one Bandidos wear.

Pike was national president of the Bandidos from mid-2005 until he stepped down in January 2016 after his arrest. Pike picked Portillo as his national vice president in 2013. Portillo had been in that position until he was arrested, also in January 2016.

Pike is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ezra on Wednesday, and also faces life in prison. Both men are appealing.

Written by: Guillermo Contreras

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Police: Suspected Mongols MC member fights in bar

Fort Worth, Texas (September 23, 2018) BTN — A fight erupted early Sunday at a hotel bar involving a suspected Mongols MC member that drew the attention of 10 patrol cars, but no serious injuries were reported, police said.

In addition, police said Sunday no arrests were made.

Police have been on high alert this weekend after agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alerted local authorities the motorcycle club had a rally planned in the city.

The Mongols have been called the “most violent and dangerous” outlaw motorcycle club in the nation, according to the Department of Justice website.



On Friday and Saturday, local police beefed up their presence in the Fort Worth Stockyards after ATF warned the Mongols were planing a rally there.

Patrol officers responded to the fight call shortly after 1:30 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel Fort Worth-Fossil Creek, 2540 Meacham Blvd.

Witnesses told police a man began a verbal argument with a man wearing biker attire.

“They began to have a physical altercation,” said Officer Tracy Cater in a Sunday email.

Police did not provide any more details on the altercation, but a man and a woman suffered minor injuries, police said.

Detectives continued on Sunday to investigate the fight.

Hours before the fight, the Star-Telegram spoke to four Mongols members outside White Elephant bar in the Fort Worth Stockyards and they said all the warnings were all misconceptions.

Police had not reported any other major incidents with the Mongols.

Story By: Domingo Ramirez Jr.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Hells Angels MC poker run stopped by police

Kelowna, British Columbia (September 22, 2018) BTN— Dozens of Hells Angels and associated motorcycle club members were pulled over by police on Kelowna's Glenmore Road Saturday, not long after the riders took off from the Kelowna Hells Angels clubhouse on their annual Poker Run ride.

Upwards of 100 riders were seen pulled over on Glenmore Road, just north of Summit Drive at about noon. Earlier Saturday, the bikers had left from the Hells Angel's clubhouse in Kelowna's North End, on Ellis Street.



The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, B.C.'s anti-gang police agency, is in Kelowna this weekend to support the Kelowna RCMP during the Hells Angel event.

The Kelowna RCMP have yet to comment on the ride, or about their interaction with the riders on Glenmore Road. It's unclear if any arrests were made.

The poker run involves riding to different locations and collecting playing cards. The cards are then used to make a poker hand at the end of the ride.

The Hells Angels set up a chapter in Kelowna around 2006. The gang's clubhouse, while still in use by its members, is the subject of an ongoing BC Civil Forfeiture Office trial in BC Supreme Court in Vancouver.

After several police raids on the property over the past several years, the property's assets were frozen in 2016, pending the outcome of the trial. The BC Civil Forfeiture Office is looking to seize the gang's clubhouses in Nanaimo and Vancouver, in addition to Kelowna, arguing the properties will be used to commit crimes in the future.

The trial, 10 years in the making, is scheduled into December.

UPDATE:

The police traffic stop of the Hells Angel poker run in Kelowna stemmed from some confusion over the correct route by riders, according to police.

Sgt. Brenda Winpenny of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit BC says the confusion over the correct route resulted in the bikers blocking traffic on Glenmore Road.



"An RCMP traffic unit initiated a traffic stop with the lead bikers to address the situation," Sgt. Winpenny said. "CFSEU-BC was present and assisted the traffic unit with the stop."

The CFSEU-BC, B.C.'s anti-gang police agency, are in Kelowna this weekend for the Hells Angel poker run.

"The main objective at these events is to ensure police and public safety and that the participants of the ride abide by the law," Sgt. Winpenny said.

The Kelowna RCMP has not yet commented on the ride or the traffic stop.

SOURCE: Casanet

Mongols MC leader dodges prison

Medford, Oregon (September 22, 2018) BTN— A man believed to have headed the local chapter of a motorcycle club has been sentenced to probation for his role in a firearms deal with undercover federal agents.

Steven Jay Silva, 53, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Medford Wednesday morning to five years of probation for his role in buying illicit firearms from undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents last summer. The guns included a sawed-off shotgun and a silencer Silva believed to be unmarked and unregistered.



Silva, who police believe was president of the Southern Oregon chapter of the Mongols MC during the summer of 2017, bought six guns, including the sawed-off shotgun, Aug. 14 of last year.

In September 2017, Silva reportedly coordinated a drug and gun buy with undercover agents, which reportedly included 400 OxyContin pills, 90 Vicodin pills, three revolvers and a silencer for which Silva paid $2,050.

A search warrant executed at his home in the 1000 block of Edwina Avenue yielded multiple photos and memorabilia related to his motorcycle gang membership, including his “cut” or vest.

ATF agents say Silva’s patches show him to be “one of the founding Mongols of the Southern Oregon chapter,” before delineating other patches related to the roughly 600-member gang headquartered in central California, which has rivalries with the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Sons of Silence, according to ATF agents.

Silva’s “Respect Few, Fear None” patch is typically earned when someone engages in violence on behalf of the gang; and the wing patches on his vest “are earned when someone engages in various sex acts with a woman in front of other Mongol members.”

Silva professes to have resigned from the club since he was charged last year. In court filings, his public defender, Brian Butler, argued that Silva has completed drug treatment, maintained full-time employment and has complied with terms of his pretrial release.

SOURCE: Mail Tribune

Motorcycles continued

A parked Harley-Davidson panhead motorcycle

Friday, September 21, 2018

Saskatoon police to public: Increased presence of Hells Angels

Saskatoon, Canada (September 21, 2018) BTN— Members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club are converging on the city this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club's Saskatoon chapter.

The red and white will be flying frequently in Saskatoon this weekend as members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club are converging on the city to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club’s Saskatoon chapter.

City police say Hells Angels and their associates will be gathering in the city for the celebration and say members of the public can expect to see an increased presence from the motorcycle club from here in Saskatchewan and from right across Canada.


“The Saskatoon Police Service has an operational plan in place and additional policing resources will be on hand to ensure the safety of the public and all those involved,” says the Saskatoon Police Service news release.

This isn’t the first time a large number of Hells Angels from across Canada converged on Saskatoon. In 2012, members of the infamous club converged on the city for the National Run, which saw members from across the country arrive in the bridge city.

Saskatoon Police Services and the RCMP held a press conference to announce drug busts of Hells Angels members and associates on January 15, 2015 in Saskatoon. Members of the club from across Canada are expected to converge on Saskatoon this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Saskatoon Hells Angels chapter


Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Motorcycle Clubs are breaking the "Outlaw" stereotype

San Angelo, Texas (September 19, 2018) BTN— Motorcycle Clubs are breaking the "Outlaw" stereotype that has been pinned to them.

The club manager at San Angelo's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Janet Sheppard, says, "I've been asked many times why I let the motorcycle clubs hang out at the VFW. Most of the times the people in these motorcycle clubs are either active duty or veterans, and the VFW is there home."


Non-members of the American Motorcyclist Association, and incidents, such as the shootout involving motorcycle club affiliates in Waco, Texas, are some of the things that created the outlaw stereotype of motorcycle clubs.

The president of Iron Horse MC-McCulloch County, "Iron Horse Preacher", says, "To overcome something like Waco, we just have to work and show the community what happened. There was an isolated incident. Those Confederation of Clubs and independent meetings like that — we've been doing this for over twenty years, we've never had an incident at any of them, until that one."

To prove these incidents are individual issues rather than club-associated issues, they involve themselves in different fundraisers and give back to the community.


A member of the Silent Heroes MC, "Squirrel," explained "in July, we did a BBQ benefit at the VFW. Every year we go to Shannon and we go deliver toys to the kids."

Besides fundraising for events, they are also politically involved.

President and Founder of Ponderosas MC, Gypc Serna, says, "We are trying to get motorcycle profiling an amendment on the Texas state constitution."

Members say police pull them over due to their outfits. Profiling also comes from establishments around town.

"There are several in San Angelo, that you can't wear any of your colors in," says Preacher.
So people might ask, why the club? Why not just ride?

"It's the unity of the club, it's the structure of the club," says Preacher. "A lot of the guys that are in clubs are ex-military because they miss that structure that they had in the military."

The clubs call themselves a brotherhood and sisterhood. They enjoy the comradery the organization has to offer.

"If there was ever any trouble in here," says Sheppard. "I feel certain that I would be protected, first of anyone."


Monday, September 10, 2018

Hells Angels MC members charged with violence

Greenville, VA. (September 10, 2018) BTN — An alleged fight between rival motorcycle clubs sent two men to a hospital in Augusta County.

Investigators say not a word was said before the violence started early Monday, September 10.

According to Sheriff Donald Smith, members of the Hells Angels from New York attacked two members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club outside an inn on Route 11 around 3 a.m. Monday. One man was beaten, and a second man was shot.



"Both had been at a convention-type thing for the their clubs, and were just passing through the area, and they ended up meeting down in the Greenville area and this is the end result of it," said the sheriff.

"It looks like that the Hells Angels were there first and then the Pagans just showed up to rent a room and it looks like the two just clashed. The one just attacked the other one."

The shooting victim is said to be in serious, but stable condition. The victim of the beating has been treated and released. Both men are from Virginia.

A total of seven Hells Angels have been arrested:

Nathaniel A. Villaman, 27, of East Brunswick, New Jersey: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Andy Thongthawath, 27, of Queens, New York: possession of Schedule I or II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule I or II drug
Joseph Anthony Paturzo, 52, of the Bronx, New York: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Dominick J. Eadicicco, 48, of Staten Island, New Jersey: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Richard E. West, 52, of Baldwin, New York: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Buster Domingo 69, of South Ozone Park, New York: possession Schedule I or II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule I or II drug
Anthony Vincent Milan, 28, of East Elmhurst, New York: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Members of the Staunton Police Department assisted in searching the motel. Authorities seized eight Harley Davidson motorcycles, as well as other items.


09/10/2018 Updated Release from the Augusta County Sheriff's Office:
During the early morning hours (approximately 0253) on Monday, September 10, 2018, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at 3554 Lee Jackson Highway in the Greenville area.

When deputies arrived on location they found a male victim who had been shot and an additional male who was beaten.

Deputies secured the motel and established a perimeter around the motel.

Tactical teams from the Staunton Police Department and the ACSO executed a search warrant on three rooms. At that time seven members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club were detained without incident and transported to the ACSO to be interviewed.

The Hells Angels are from the New York City area.

Five are being charged:

Malicious wounding
Use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Two of the Hells Angels were charged:

Possession of meth
Possession of a schedule 1 or 2 drug while in possession of a firearm
As a result of the search warrant numerous Hells Angels’ clothing, jewelry, and motorcycles were seized as part of the investigation.

Both victims are members of the Pagan MC in Virginia.


09/10/2018 Release from the Augusta County Sheriff's Office:
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning shooting in Greenville, VA.

The preliminary investigation revealed that one man was shot, and another was assaulted. The shooting victim was transported to the hospital where he is undergoing surgery.

The male who was assaulted was also transported to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Seven men were detained at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

There is no current threat to the community.

As a precautionary measure, schools and a daycare in the area were notified of the incident.

SOURCE: NBC29