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

SOURCE: My San Antonio

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.

SOURCE: Star-Telegraph

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

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

SOURCE: The Star Phoenix

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."

SOURCE: Concho Valley Homepage

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

Cop on leave for starting bar brawl with Hells Angels

Willoughby, Ohio(August 29, 2018) BTN — A Euclid officer is on paid administrative leave after he pulled out a gun during a fight with two men at a Willoughby bar, police said.

Todd Gauntner, 32, is charged with using a weapon while under intoxication in an incident that happened early Friday morning, Willoughby police said.

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

Cop with wounds from a beat down by club members

Police went about 1 a.m. to Frank and Tony's Place on 2nd Street 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 police report. He did not use his department-issued gun in the incident, the report says.

The bartender said the men fought behind the bar and broke bottles and other items, police said. Employees at the bar tried to break up the fight before police arrived.

The bartender can be heard crying on a 911 call saying a man with a white shirt had a gun and that he pointed at someone's head.

Gauntner suffered minor scratches to his face. He was arrested and placed in the Willoughby city jail, police said.

Police initially cited Wolf and Peterson with disorderly conduct and were allowed to leave the bar. Those charges were dropped, but both are now charged in warrants with assault, and investigators have accused them of being the aggressors in the fight.

Gauntner is a four-year veteran of the Euclid Police Department once honored for saving the life of a man shot 16 times, but Gauntner's negative attention dates back to 2016.

He pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm in an incident that happened Thanksgiving at Sims Park in Euclid. A Euclid Municipal Court judge ordered him to pay a $235 fine and to attend counseling in that incident. Euclid police suspended him for 90 days as they conducted an internal investigation.

Gauntner has been placed on paid administrative leave following Friday's incident as the department conducts an internal investigation to determine if he broke policy, Euclid Lt. Mitch Houser said.

If it is determined Gauntner violated department rules and regulations the most Euclid police officials can do is suspend him for two weeks without pay, Houser said. Harsher punishment would have to come from Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer, who also serves as the city's public safety director.

Gaunter is scheduled to appear in Willoughby Municipal Court Thursday at 8:15 a.m. for an arraignment. 

SOURCE: Cleveland.com

Raptor police tackle NSW bikie conflict

Newcastle, AU (April 5, 2018) BTN — Thirteen alleged outlaw motorcycle club members have been charged after raids in the NSW Hunter region with a specialist police squad staying in town to stop what's being called the biggest bikie conflict in NSW.

Thirty-one properties, from Muswellbrook to Newcastle, were targeted in Thursday's large-scale sting involving more than 280 police officers cracking down on the escalating conflict between rival clubs - the Finks and the Nomads.

Weapons, explosive detonators, guns, drugs and reptiles were seized, while 11 of those arrested were charged with participating in a criminal group and two were charged with drug offences.

Strikeforce Raptor, the squad of officers most reviled by the OMCG underworld, will remain in the region to support local police until the conflict ends.

The raids follow an investigation into the ongoing "civil war" between the two clubs, believed to have begun in late 2016, when a former Nomads bikies switched allegiance by "patching over" to the Finks.

There have since been a string of incidents, from assaults to drive-by shootings and firebombings, each more serious than the last.

In an affidavit tendered to the NSW Supreme Court last week, Sergeant Gary Broadhurst said the Hunter conflict was the most significant bikie war occurring in NSW.

The 13 men charged were granted strict conditional bail, with nine scheduled to appear at Newcastle Local Court on May 3 and the remaining four due to appear at the same court on April 26.

SOURCE: The West Australian

Source: Biker Trash Network

Free Souls MC member charged with rape and kidnapping

Spokane, WA (April 5, 2018) BTN — A member of an Oregon motorcycle club is facing accusations in Spokane of rape, kidnapping and showing a woman videos appearing to depict murder.

Roger L. Heuberger, 40, was arrested Sunday after a woman said she was sexually assaulted, injected with drugs and cut while tied to a chair inside a hotel room off Division Street. At his first court appearance Monday, prosecutors charged Heuberger with third-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment and possession of meth and heroin. A judge set bond at $25,000.

The woman told police that on March 28 or 29, she and another friend went with Heuberger and a fellow member of the biker club Free Souls – which is based out of Oregon – to Liberty Motel, 6801 N. Division St., where the four “partied,” according to court records.

The next day, she said Heuberger got upset because his girlfriend went with the biker friend to Coeur d’Alene. Court documents say Heuberger and the alleged victim went back to the hotel, where she said she was told to take off her clothes because Heuberger thought she was wearing a wire.

According to court records, Heuberger then tied her to a chair with a rubber cord and injected her with heroin, according to court records.

While she was under the influence of the drugs, she told authorities that Heuberger brought out a laptop and played a DVD that appeared to show the “killing of women and children.” The woman said it showed a male “who looked similar to Roger” taking victims “into the woods and then murdering them.”

Court records say Heuberger then started cutting the woman on the arm. After allowing her to get up from the chair, he proceeded to rape her.

After several hours of captivity, the woman was able to convince Heuberger to let her leave the motel room to get food, court records say. The two went to Taco Bell across the street, where she locked herself in the bathroom and refused to leave.

Two days later, she contacted police while staying at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, where officers interviewed her and found wounds consistent with being choked, cut and sexually assaulted.

On Sunday, police served a search warrant on the motel room, where they found several plastic baggies floating in the bathroom’s toilet. They found other white bags in a box, a black pistol, syringes and a computer with a DVD that could contain the footage described by the victim, according to the warrant.

Heuberger’s friend and fellow club member from Vancouver, Washington, was interviewed by police, and said he was gone at the time of the alleged crimes. He has not been arrested. His car was seized for evidence.

Heuberger has no criminal history in Spokane County. According to a search of Marion County, Oregon, jail records, the 40-year-old was arrested and charged with assault and harassment in June 2017.

SOURCE: The Spokesman-Review

Source: Biker Trash Network

Photos of bikers taken by cops allowed court says

Orange County, Florida (April 5, 2018) BTN — Fighting a bill that would have allowed Floridians to openly carry guns, two Orange County sheriff’s officers in 2011 moved forward with a plan to give lawmakers a glimpse of some people who might be able to pack heat publicly.

The officers pulled together booking or driver’s license photos of “one percenters” — members of motorcycle clubs — who might be able to openly carry guns and provided the photos to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In the end, lawmakers did not approve a broad open-carry proposal for people with concealed-weapons licenses. But the use of the photos led to a lawsuit that resulted this week in a federal appeals court rejecting arguments by three members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club that the officers had violated a privacy law in using the photos.

The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Michael Fewless, who in 2011 was captain of the governmental affairs section of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and lobbied the Legislature, and John McMahon, an intelligence agent who selected and emailed the photos to Fewless.

The civil case focused heavily on whether the officers violated a federal law known as the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and whether an exception for government agencies included being able to use the information for lobbying purposes. The appeals court Monday upheld a lower-court ruling that said the exception covered lobbying and concluded that Fewless had been representing the sheriff’s office when he provided the photos to senators and staff members and when he referred to them during a committee meeting.

“(The) record reflects that Fewless used the photos while acting on behalf of the OCSO (Orange County Sheriff’s Office) in the course of carrying out the OCSO’s lobbying function,” said the 10-page ruling, written by Judge Harvey Schlesinger and joined by judges Charles Wilson and Susan Black. “The photos were delivered to the committee and were seen only by legislators and staff members. Fewless merely referred to the photos in the course of his testimony before the committee. Thus, the distribution of the photos related directly to Fewless’ lobbying efforts.”

A brief filed last year on behalf of three bikers who were plaintiffs in the case, Leslie Baas, Tracy Osteen and Doyle Napier, said the way the photos were used was not legitimate.

“To start with, it is undisputed the disclosure of the plaintiffs’ driver’s license photographs had nothing to do with any criminal behavior on the part of the plaintiffs which might be a legitimate subject of legislative or public interest, let alone law enforcement inquiry,” the brief said. “Indeed, the disclosure had nothing whatsoever to do with the plaintiffs at all but rather had the admitted purpose of propagating a ‘counter-stereotype’ to rebut a stereotype utilized in lobbying efforts by a pro-gun lobbyist with no affiliation to the plaintiffs that an open carry bill would benefit ‘bankers and executives’ who might be charged with a crime if the concealed weapons they were carrying were accidentally exposed. 

To put it succinctly, the defendants (Fewless and McMahon), with the intention of creating ‘poster children’ for denial of a bill the defendants disliked, took it upon themselves to expose the ‘highly protected’ information of private persons who were believed to be law abiding … based upon a non-criminal private association (i.e. motorcycle club membership) and, most outrageously, the stupefyingly superficial criterion of an ‘intimidating’ appearance in the opinion of the officers.”

But in addition to ruling that the exception to the federal privacy law covered lobbying, the appeals court said the officers were entitled to what is known as “qualified immunity.”

“There is no case law clearly establishing that Fewless’ use of the photos was impermissible,” wrote Schlesinger, a federal district judge who was designated to serve on the appellate panel. “Moreover, appellants (the plaintiffs) were required to show that no reasonable officer in the officers’ position could have believed that he was accessing or distributing the photos for a permissible use under the DPPA (the federal law). Appellants failed to make that showing. Appellees (the officers) are therefore entitled to qualified immunity.”

SOURCE: Florida Politics

Source: Biker Trash Network

Unsolved: Murder of Daytona Outlaws MC member 'Louie Da Lip'

Daytona, Florida (April 2,2018) BTN — “Louie da Lip,” a felon accused by a courtroom witness of assaulting and battering a woman inside a locked room, met his own violent end one year ago.

Detectives learned quickly that the known member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club’s Daytona Beach chapter, aka Christopher Keating, was likely killed by someone in the rival Pagan’s motorcycle club.

Police also knew Keating, 59, had a criminal history. He was killed during a fight near the doorway to an alley inside a bar.

Police have video of the incident and witnesses called 9-1-1, one of whom gave a vague description of the suspect.

Twelve months later, the case remains unsolved.

“We will be able to (solve it) one day,” Daytona Beach police Chief Craig Capri said. “This one will take time, but we’re working hard on it.”

At least one federal law enforcement agency is assisting in the investigation. Police spokeswoman Lyda Longa wouldn’t identify which.

When an ambulance showed up the night of April 3, 2017, at Crook’s Den, 126 Orange Ave., Keating was lying in the alley outside the rear door. His heart stopped after he got to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives have said they don’t think Keating was armed when he was stabbed.

Witnesses told police that an “altercation” took place inside the bar involving Keating and two other men. Then, toward the rear of the bar the unrest continued and spilled into the alley. That, police said, is when Keating was stabbed.

The tussle in the caused damage to the bar and a water pipe that ran along the ceiling was nearly ripped down. The video from inside the bar was obtained by law enforcement and has never been released to the media.

One of the witnesses who called 9-1-1 said the man with the knife left on a motorcycle before police arrived. He was described as “bald.”

Keating lived in the Lake Ashby area near New Smyrna Beach. His run-ins with the law were long ago, according to court records. He was one of 14 who were arrested as part of a racketeering case by the federal government in 1983. The ensuing trial lasted a month and every defendant, except one, was convicted of various crimes. Keating was convicted of conspiracy and racketeering charges and served less than four years in prison.

All of the defendants were a member of the Outlaws MC, considered one of the largest motorcycle clubs in the world in terms of membership.

One of the witnesses at the trial 35 years ago told jurors she had been falsely accused of stealing drugs from the Outlaws. Her punishment was to be in a locked room with Keating, who beat her and threatened her with a gun, according to a Miami Herald story at the time.

Not long after Keating was killed, a person in Daytona Beach was found wearing a Hells Angels T-shirt. The Hells Angels is perhaps the best-known of outlaw motorcycle clubs and considered a bitter rival of the Outlaws. The man wearing the shirt found himself surrounded by Outlaws, who set out to intimidate him, police said.

Daytona Beach police Detective Iriabeth Lee said the Outlaws are the alpha motorcycle club throughout Florida. Any perceived invasion on the part of the Hells Angels is seen as a threat.

“If you know anything about the Hells Angels, you know they’re as big as the Outlaws and they don’t like them at all,” she said.

“From what I understand that guy was not a Hells Angel,” Lee continued. “He said that (the shirt) was given to him. He did not understand that was not allowed.”

No arrests were made in the incident.

Since then, there have been no public displays of unruly behavior by Outlaws or any other motorcycle club in or around Daytona Beach, but violence has erupted in other places across Florida during the past year and authorities have said that Outlaws have been challenging members of other motorcycle clubs to either join their ranks or submit to their dominance.

Last April, someone wearing a Kingsmen Motocycle Club jacket was shot in the back after he came out of a gas station in Leesburg. Police said he was killed because he refused to take off his jacket. The demand came from the Outlaws. They ordered him to his knees and held a knife to his throat. The Outlaws had set up a perimeter around the gas station. It was described as a “coordinated attack” by 15 members, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

In December, Paul Anderson, 44, was gunned down by two people while sitting in his pickup truck on State Road 54 near the Suncoast Parkway, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Three people were arrested in that killing. Deputies told the local media they were members of the 69ers Motorcycle Club.

Some motorcycle clubs make up the one kind of organized crime that has been exported out of the United States. Other forms have either been imported, as in the Sicilian Mafia, or homegrown and contained.

Members of some motorcycle clubs have committed murder, rape and other violent crimes and they have a history of degrading women and even killing children, said Charles Berard, a criminal investigator from Wisconsin who has studied outlaw motorcycle clubs for more than three decades.

“These are not people you want your kids to emulate,” Berard said.

“These are people that are dangerous and people that have a continuing commitment to crime in small communities and large communities.”

SOURCE: The News-Journal

Source: Biker Trash Network

Man found dead inside Bandidos MC Clubhouse

Melbourne, Australia (April 2, 2018) BTN — A man has been found dead at a Bandidos MC clubhouse in Melbourne north following reports of a gunshot. Police were called to Weston Street, Brunswick, after someone heard a blast about 7.20 am on Easter Monday.

The man has not been formally identified but reports of full patched Bandidos MC members could be seen consoling each other outside.

Bandidos MC Clubhouse in Melbourne, Australia 

Police and paramedics were seen at Weston Street, Brunswick, near the Bandidos clubhouse on Monday morning and police are not searching for anyone in relation to the incident. The death was not believed to be suspicious.

The Bandidos MC clubhouse has CCTV cameras and iron gates - and now there are claims a body was found inside this morning

Bandidos MC Clubhouse in Melbourne, Australia 

Their local clubhouse sits down the road from the Barkly Street shopping centre.

The clubhouse was previously the site of a wine and produce company. 

SOURCE: Daily Mail

Source: Biker Trash Network

Former Hells Angels president dies after being hit by car

Porirua, New Zealand  (March 28, 2018) BTN — Former Hells Angels president Shane Bullock has died after he was hit by a car while riding his motorbike in Porirua, New Zealand.

He was rushed to hospital with a broken pelvis and sternum after being hit on Thursday. Though he was due to have surgery on Tuesday, he passed away on Monday morning. Bullock had been part of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club for 26 years.

Shane Bullock (middle) with son Jack and daughter Hazel - Supplied Photo

Hundreds of people are expected to flock to Whanganui for the funeral this weekend.

His son Jack said Bullock was a "big cuddly family guy" and "a big bad ass". His daughter Hazel said that she could not imagine life without him, and Jack said she was "Dad's little princess".

SOURCE: News Hub

Source: Biker Trash Network

Movie Propaganda Continued

A still from the movie "A Bronx Tale" 

Hells Angels MC founding member dies in car accident

Kew, Melbourne, Australia (March 27, 2018) BTN — Chris “Ball Bearing’’Coelho, a founding member of the Hells Angels in Australia — has died.

Chris Coelho, who was an integral part of the Hells Angels legendary rock n’ roll festivals in Broadford, was killed in a car accident near Kew on Friday.

Related | Hells Angels MC turns 70 years old

His wife, Dee, said it was a shock and that her husband had also been battling health issues for some time.

But Dee said he would be remembered for the mark he left, especially on the Australian music scene.

“It’s shocking what’s happened,’’ she said.

Chris “Ball Bearing’’ Coelho with his wife Dee in 2013.

“He lived a great life. It feels like it’s been cut short by this happening.

“Chris was a wonderful and genuine man. He took part in life and lived it to the fullest.

The couple in 2013.

“He was spontaneous. He liked to have parties and have fun and was also very protective of people.

“I’m amazed every single day with some of the events he was a part of. He had created very special moments for people.’’

The life of an outlaw did have its moments.

In the early years as an outlaw bikie, Coelho wore a chrome helmet and was nicknamed “Ball Bearing’’. It stuck. The avid Harley Davidson rider and guitar player had travelled the world and met the famous and infamous. Among them was riding across America with the Hells Angels’ most notable member “Sonny’’ Barger.

And Coelho would regale stories of a singalong with his musical heroes Johnny Cash, June Carter and Willie Nelson in a hotel room. But he also had other moments.

Chris “Ball Bearing’’ Coelho left the Hells Angels to get married.

Coelho lived through an internal Hells Angels split turned violent over the production of speed.

He would survive the conflict, but not before he was shot in the chest.

Aged 68 Coelho retired from the Hells Angels in 2012 after 42 years membership of the world’s most infamous outlaw motorcycle club. He had been an office bearer, including a chapter president.

But as a new breed of bikie entered the club, Coelho knew his time as an Angel was over.

He handed in his “colours’’ soon after his public arrest following a raid by police on the Angels’ Melbourne clubhouse in Fairfield. In a show of force, police had ripped off the front gates to the Heidelberg Rd chapter which was adorned with the Hells Angels “Death Head’’ insignia.

Coelho was charged for being in possession of a small amount of cannabis and an ornamental gun.

As he was escorted from the clubhouse, Coelho would have one last surprise for police investigators, who at the time were attempting to thwart a war with the Bandidos.

They all knew of “Ball Bearing’’ and as they escorted him towards the front door to cuff him, he requested to take a jacket from the cloak stand.

Chris “Ball Bearing’’ Coelho was arrested during a police raid.

Among the hoodies and jackets, he picked out his Hells Angels cut (vest) as a media throng waited outside.

It was his last public act of defiance as a Hells Angel.

Coelho has been part of the fabric of Australian music in stories told by bands such as Midnight Oil, who had played at the Broadford festival organised by the bikie club in the 1980s. Oils drummer Rob Hirst would tell of an arrow, shot into an office in Manly, and an attached note demanding they play the gig.

The note was signed “Ball Bearing”.

When they arrived in Broadford as requested, they would play until “Mr Bearing’’ raised his finger.

In 2013, Coelho told the Herald Sun his time as a Hells Angel had to end but remained friends with many of them. Part of his reasoning to “retire’’ was his impending marriage to Dee, 20 years his junior. He was also adamant he wanted no part in any emerging conflict with the Bandidos at the time.

His timing was impeccable. Within weeks the Bandidos’ Toby Mitchell had been ambushed and shot by Hells Angels. After their wedding in 2013, they rode through the middle of Australia. Coelho draped his Harley’s handlebars with Australian flags. Dee rode a smaller Harley alongside him.

Written by Anthony Dowsley

SOURCE: Herald Sun

Source: Biker Trash Network

Chosen Few MC Clubhouse fire suspicious

Columbus, GA, USA (March 26, 2018) BTN — Local arson investigators are looking into an early Sunday morning fire at a midtown Columbus motorcycle club, Fire Marshal Ricky Shores said.

The call to Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services came just before 2 a.m. for the Chosen Few Motor Cycle Club at 1238 Midway Drive. Firefighters from the Brown Avenue and downtown stations were able to quickly bring situation under control and keep it from doing serious damage to the building, Shores said.

There were three separate fires started on the exterior of the building, Shores said, declining to go into additional details.

There was no one in the building at the time of the fire, but people had been there earlier in the evening, Shores said.

The Chosen Few Motorcycle Club on Midway Drive

The fire marshal called the fire suspicious, but declined to go into additional details.

No arrests have been made or charges filed, Shores said.

Chosen Few Motor Cycle Club is national organization with a Columbus chapter. The storefront on Midway Drive is a private club used by members.

SOURCE: Ledger-Enquirer

Source: Biker Trash Network

Hand Sign

Family of shot biker still seeking justice 1 year later

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (March 25, 2018) BTN — This week will mark one year since a deadly shooting at a northwest Albuquerque car wash, in which Earl Roybal was killed while his motorcycle was drying in one of those car wash bays.

Related | Man who admitted to shooting biker claims self-defense

A year later, Roybal's family and friends say there has been no justice; the person who shot him hasn't been charged.

The district attorney's office reviewed the evidence and ruled that the March 26, 2017 shooting was in self-defense. Meanwhile, family members have hired a private investigator to review that evidence with the hopes that charges could still come in this case.

Earl Roybal

Now, they are doing what they can to keep his memory alive.

"We still don't feel justice was delivered in this case," said Raymond Gallegos of the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization. "The DA did review the case. It was up to the DA to prosecute that, but we don't feel that the family saw justice. We don't feel that it was still a self-defense shooting. We don't feel like it was justifiable self-defense."

Roybal's loved ones will be gathering for a motorcycle ride and vigil on Monday. The ride will begin at Bullhead Park at 6:15 p.m. and go towards the Hose It Car Wash on Coors Boulevard, where they will gather for a candlelight vigil expected to start around 7 p.m.

SOURCE: KOB4 News
Source: Biker Trash Network

Hells Angels murder case in Canada continues on

Nova Scotia, Canada (March 22, 2018) BTN — The Crown may seek to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada a ruling by Nova Scotia's highest court that quashed the convictions against one of the men accused in a Hells Angels murder nearly two decades ago.

Dean Daniel Kelsie, 45, was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the Oct. 3, 2000, shooting death of Sean Simmons in the lobby of an apartment building in north-end Dartmouth.

But last December, his convictions were overturned by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and a new trial ordered.

On Thursday morning, Kelsie was brought into Nova Scotia Supreme Court to provide an update on his status. He told the judge his case has stalled because the Crown is still considering whether to appeal the Court of Appeal ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada.

"I think it's going to be pursued," Crown prosecutor Peter Craig said in reference to a possible appeal. "The ultimate decision hasn't yet been made."

Kelsie said until the Crown makes a decision on appeal, "My situation is stagnant."

"Three judges already quashed my sentence after 18 years in prison," Kelsie said, referring to the three-member Court of Appeal panel who ruled in December. Kelsie has been in custody since his arrest in 2001.

At Kelsie's first trial in 2003, the jury heard that Simmons was shot to death because he'd allegedly had an affair with a Hells Angel. Kelsie was accused of pulling the trigger.

Two other men, Neil William Smith and Wayne Alexander James, are both serving life sentences for their roles in Simmons's killing. A fourth man, Steven Gareau, was set free last month after a judge ended the prosecution against him.

Gareau had been twice found guilty of first-degree murder, but both convictions were overturned on appeal. Last month, Justice Campbell ruled that it would be unfair to subject Gareau to a third trial.

On Thursday, Kelsie told Justice Glen McDougall that Toronto lawyer Philip Campbell has agreed to represent him in his new trial, but that Campbell was unable to appear with him on this occasion.

Without Campbell present, McDougall agreed to a request to put Kelsie's matter over for two weeks to allow time to sort things out.

SOURCE: CBC News – Nova Scotia

Source: Biker Trash Network

Police planning on increase in Outlaws, Hells Angels and Rock Machine activity

Peterborough, Ontario, (March 21, 2018) BTN — Peterborough Police Service anticipate the city will see an increase in Outlaw Motorcycle Club (OMC) activity this year.

“We’re kind of here for the picking right now,” says Peterborough police Insp. Larry Charmley, adding that the Outlaws, Hells Angels, Rock Machine and other motorcycle groups are looking for opportunities here.

“They are worldwide and want to take over territory.”

He says biker activity and representation began to increase in the fall of 2017 and will become more visible this spring.

“We do know that there has been Hell's Angels that have been in town, and the Rock Machine has also been around town so we suspect that we are going to see them here,” adds Charmley.

Peterborough Police say Outlaw Motorcycle gang activity is expected to pick up in 2018. The Outlaws on Park and Perry streets burned to the ground last March, but they have relocated to this clubhouse on Parkhill Road East. - Todd Vandonk/Metroland

According to sources, a recent drug bust involving city and Peterborough County OPP involved people associated with Hell's Angels.

Last March the former Outlaws clubhouse at the corner of Perry and Park streets burned to the ground in a suspected arson.

Charmley says the investigation is ongoing.

“You don’t get a lot of people wanting to talk to the police about what happened,” he says, adding he doesn't think the arson is a result of bikers fighting for turf.

The Outlaws has since moved to a less visible clubhouse located on Parkhill Road East.

There’s been little activity there accept at the end of last year when the clubhouse held a memorial for one of its members. He says the other criminal organizations haven’t officially set up shop in the city.

“Not a clubhouse but we are suspecting that can happen this year and that there could be another motorcycle club in town,” Charmley explains.

SOURCE: Peterborough This Week

Source: Biker Trash Network

We're the One Per Centers

Alleged Suicide Crew MC Member arrested over near miss of cop

Headingley, Manitoba, Canada (March 21, 2018) BTN  — An alleged full-patch member of a motorcycle club is in custody after the RCMP says one of its officers was almost hit by a passing motorist during a traffic stop near Winnipeg.

Police at Headingley say the Mountie was on traffic duty on the Perimeter Highway late last Saturday night and was standing beside an auto he had pulled over when he was nearly struck by another vehicle.

Officers went after it and noticed it was being driven erratically before coming to a stop.

During the arrest, police noted the male driver was wearing a biker vest from the Suicide Crew MC, and while at the detachment he refused to provide a breath sample and allegedly uttered threats and became combative.

Stephen McInnis, a 46-year-old Calgary resident, is facing charges that include impaired driving, uttering threats and assaulting a police officer.

McInnis was to appear in a Winnipeg courtroom on Wednesday.

SOURCE: Calgary Sun

Source: Biker Trash Network

Guns, drugs and cash seized in anti-bikie sting

Sydney, Australia (March 21, 2018) BTN — Drugs, guns, and cash were seized after police raided seven outlaw motorcycle club's linked properties across Canberra on Wednesday. A 35-year-old Evatt man was charged with firearm related offences as a result of the sting, which coincided with operations interstate as part of a national day of action targeting outlaw motorcycle clubs.

ACT police chief Justine Saunders said the raids showed bikies that the capital was a hostile jurisdiction and pledged to continue to push for tough new laws targeting criminal motorcycle clubs. The ACT hosts chapters of three major outlaw clubs, the Nomads, Comanchero, and Rebels.

A feud between the Nomads and Comanchero has been blamed for tit-for-tat violence, including drive-by shootings, in Canberra's south.

Nationally, Wednesday's day of action was led by Operation Morpheus, the national Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs taskforce, while the Canberra search warrants were conducted by ACT Policing bikie busting group Taskforce Nemesis.

Police said the raids across the capital uncovered three firearms, 270 rounds of ammunition, about 28 grams of a substance believed to be methylamphetamine, about 12 grams of a substance believed to be cocaine, and more $50,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In Victoria, seven people were charged with a variety of offences and police seized motorcycles, drugs, cash, computers and more than $1 million-worth of alcohol. ACT deputy chief police officer crime Mark Walters said disrupting the illegal activities of criminal gangs was a priority for ACT Policing.

"This action is just one part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs in our community," Commander Walters said.

"Taskforce Nemesis", supported by every ACT Policing officer, continues to focus on serious and organised crime and apply pressure to members of criminal gangs.

"We will continue to work collaboratively with our state, territory and Commonwealth partners to address the threats posed by criminal gangs."

Assistant Commissioner Justine Saunders said community safety was paramount and ACT Policing would continue to work with the ACT Government on laws to prevent and deter serious and organised crime and associated firearms related violence in the capital.

"Whilst I fully support the principles of the Human Rights Act that we operate under here in the ACT, I will continue to pursue legislative reform that is proportionate to the threat that serious and organised crime presents to our community," she said.

The 35-year-old Evatt man charged with firearms offences will appear before the ACT Magistrate's Court at a later date.

SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald

Gatherings Continued

Early morning raids targets Hells Angels hangout

Quebec, Canada (March 20, 2018) BTN — About 120 police launched a series of early morning raids Tuesday that targeted alleged members of organized crime as well as a site in the Montérégie allegedly used by the Hells Angels.

The Sûreté du Québec says the operation also saw officers deployed at locales in the Outaouais and Montreal’s north shore.

No arrests had been reported as Tuesday morning.

A total of nine residences and 10 vehicles were the object of search warrants. Several sources said one of the sites raided in Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu was used by the Hells Angels.

The raids are part of an investigation into drug trafficking and are the latest in a series of similar operations in various regions of Quebec carried out by an anti-organized crime division headed by the SQ.

The division is also composed of officers from the RCMP as well as the Montreal and Laval police departments.

SOURCE: Montreal Gazette

Source: Biker Trash Network