Probate for Outlaws MC Charged by Police

Toronto, Ontario, (May 2, 2021) - Five people from Kingston and Whitby, including an Outlaws Motorcycle Club probationary member have been charged by police following a multi-jurisdictional investigation that yielded roughly $400,000 worth of drugs.

The street crime unit and drug enforcement unit narrowed their focus to the actions of a probationary member of the Kingston chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Once the investigation focused on him, the Provincial Biker Enforcement Unit became involved, OPP Staff Sgt. Scott Wade said. He noted that Kingston Police are a major partner in the Biker Enforcement Unit.

“While this investigation does not involve criminal organization charges, it certainly highlights the criminal activity that outlaw motorcycle gangs are involved in,” Wade said.

Police claim he and his associates were selling drugs in the Kingston area. Later in the investigation, police learned residents of Whitby were also involved, Cunningham said. “They were higher-end drug dealers, and that cell has been disrupted,” Cunningham said. “I would say it will make a serious impact on the cocaine and fentanyl trafficking in Kingston.”

Bringing in assistance from the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit and Durham Regional Police, investigators decided to search four residences on April 24. Two were in central Kingston, one was the Outlaws clubhouse in Wilton, and the fourth was in Whitby.

During the local searches, officers found fentanyl, cocaine, suspected hydromorphone pills, digital scales, cash, prohibited weapons, rifles, body armour and cellphones. Four vehicles were also seized as offence-related property. 

Sgt. Ed Cunningham of Kingston Police’s Street Crime unit said some items were seized from the clubhouse but could not say what.

The Outlaws MC said in a statement to the Whig-Standard on Sunday that no one was at the clubhouse at the time of the search and it was later turned back over to its members. Two men were arrested at the Kingston residences while they were being searched, and he was arrested later, Cunningham said.

During the searches at the four residences, police seized 381 grams of cocaine, 1,035 grams of fentanyl, approximately $120,000 in cash, an Outlaws MC probationary vest, 42 hydromorphone pills, digital scales, six vehicles, a cash-counting machine, nine long guns and ammunition, a collapsible baton, a conducted energy weapon baton, throwing stars, a crossbow with bolts, a ballistic vest and drug packaging.

Police estimate the drugs are worth about $400,000 and the vehicles are worth about $250,000.

Police have charged him, who resides in Kingston, with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking, possession of dangerous weapons, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000. Cunningham said police are still investigating further firearms offences. None of the charges have been proven in court. 

The Outlaws MC association said in an email to the Whig-Standard that it is shocked by the news release sent by Kingston Police. It also clarified that a “probate” is not an official member of the association. The statement says that no weapons, drugs, vehicles or large amount of cash were seized from the clubhouse.

The association said it would not support those charged through the court process and stood by the statement on its website that says it is not a criminal organization. The Probationary Outlaw MC vest was likely seized because it was relevant to the charges, Wade said. “The vest and the colours are important to outlaw motorcycle gangs because it’s how they project or show their power,” Wade said.

SOURCE: Ottawa Citizen  

Ex Outlaws MC Boss Gets Early Prison Release

Chicago, IL, USA (April 16, 2021) - A federal judge has released former Outlaws motorcycle club leader Orville Cochran from prison six months early. 

The judge ordered a “compassionate” release for Cochran, who had asked before getting infected because he had health problems that could make COVID especially dangerous for him.

His release came despite prosecutors’ objections. They argued Cochran already had gotten off relatively easy by getting a sentence of only five years in prison.

 

While serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, Cochran wrote to the warden in April 2020 to apply for early release. He cited health problems and his fear that, if he got COVID, he wouldn’t be able to cheat death one more time.

“Since I have been incarcerated, I have received the following medical treatment: hospital stay for four days in Chicago, IL, hospital stay at Dodge County, WI, both for irregular heart beat,” Cochran wrote. “High blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, pre-diabetes, depression and anxiety, constipation, blood clots, fluid reduction, pain disorder, panic attacks, low mood disorder.”

“My current physical and mental health problems include: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with constant phlegm discharge, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, abdominal scar tissue that causes pain when touched, advanced age that has caused chronic back, hip, knee and shoulder pain: eye floaters, leg spasms, depression and anxiety.”

 

Decision And Order from Judge

He listed 10 medications he was taking and told the warden: “I believe that I am at very high risk of complications if in contact with COVID-19 because the heart and lungs are the two most dangerous conditions to have with COVID-19.”

SOURCE: ABC News

MC Member Charged with Soliciting a Minor

Philippi, West Virginia, USA (April 14, 2021) - A Barbour County man, who is described as being part of a motorcycle club, is facing several felony charges.

On Tuesday, April 14, West Virginia State Police arrested Chad McLean 50, of Belington, a member of the War Dogs Motorcycle Club, for the felony of Soliciting a Minor and Displaying Obscene Matter to a Minor; the victim being a 14-year-old girl.

 

The girl told troopers that McLean had grabbed her genitals and asked her for various sexual acts through Facebook messages. McLean also sent the girl nude photographs of women, troopers said.

During a subsequent search of McLean’s residence, troopers found six marijuana plants and additional marijuana seeds, troopers said. He is further charged with cultivation of marijuana.

The Philippi Detachment of the West Virginia State Police is actively investigating the case with the assistance of the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department and Philippi Police Department.

McLean is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail with bail set at $70,000.

SOURCE: 12WBOY

Court Challenge Win by Hells Angel Member

British Columbia, Canada (January 26, 2021) - A Supreme Court Justice has ruled that Gaston Methot should get a second hearing in provincial court to make his case about why he deserves to have his licence renewed. Earlier, a provincial court judge upheld a decision made by the province’s chief firearms officer to deny the renewal based on Methot’s membership in the West Point Chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

But Marzari said the original judge did not apply the right standard in reviewing that decision. She said the provincial court should have taken an independent look at all the evidence in the case instead of determining whether the firearms officer’s decision was “reasonable.”

“The reference judge’s reliance on the reasonableness standard permeates the decision to uphold the firearms officer’s decision, both with respect to the factual matrix and the evidence found to be relevant, and with respect to the result. The decision must therefore be set aside,” she said in written reasons released Monday.

Marzari did not accept Methot’s suggestion that she simply renew the licence because she said she didn’t have all the evidence before her that was before the lower court. Methot had a firearms licence from June 2012 to April 2018 “without incident,” the ruling noted. 

He applied to renew it in March 2018. An Royal Canadion Mounted Police firearms officer sent a ‘notice of refusal’ to Methot that June, saying he was being denied “because it was not desirable in the interest of public safety that he have the licence.” 

“As you are a full patch member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, West Point Chapter, I find you represent the Hells Angels and are bound by rules that allow for violence and criminal acts and that the police are your adversary,” the letter said.

“You made a decision to be involved with an organization that has a reputation for violence and criminal acts. … I find that it would not be desirable in the interest of public safety that you be issued a firearm licence at this time. Accordingly, I refuse to issue you a licence.”

Methot then filed a review application to provincial court, which was heard in 2019.

Cpl. Sergio Da Silva, a biker expert with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, testified at the provincial court hearing that Hells Angels rules forbid members from co-operating with police. So if a firearm is ever stolen, an Hells Angel member would not report the theft to the police.

Marzari noted that some of Da Silva’s evidence was “admittedly based on indirect hearsay evidence” because Hells Angels don’t talk to police. She said that “it was incumbent upon the reference judge to consider the weight that the evidence of Cpl. Da Silva was entitled to after a fresh analysis of the relevance and reliability of that evidence.”

Meanwhile, in Quebec, provincial police announced last month that they had revoked 11 firearms licences from people connected to the Hells Angels. In the news release, the Sûreté du Québec said the revocation was the second phase of a project begun two years earlier with the revocation of 75 gun licences linked to Hells Angels support clubs.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun

HA Member Arrested For Weapons and Cash

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA (January 21, 2021) - A Hells Angels motorcycle club member was arrested for having a knife, handgun, and $7,000 cash that cops believed to be from gambling proceeds while he was riding as a car passenger in Bayonne, police said.

Bernard W. Krynicki III, 31, of North Arlington, was charged with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, certain persons not to possess a weapon, gang criminality, possession of gambling records, and promoting gambling, according to Police Capt. Eric Amato. 

Krynicki was taken into custody at approximately 10:15 p.m. yesterday. Officers conducted a stop of a vehicle in which Krynicki was a passenger. During the stop, while seated in the rear passenger compartment, Krynicki proceeded to make movements while gripping items concealed in his pants pocket.

After officers requested that he show his hands, an officer was able to observe a knife protruding from his pocket. Krynicki was then removed from the vehicle, leading to the recovery of a knife and a 9mm handgun from his pockets.

During the incident, Krynicki was wearing clothing indicating that he was affiliated with the Hells Angels motorcycle club and it was later confirmed that he was an active member of the Newark chapter of the club.

Krynicki was additionally found to be in possession of gambling records and over $7,000 in gambling proceeds. He was also later determined to be classified as a certain person not to possess a weapon, authorities said.

SOURCE: NJ.com

Hells Angels Lend a Hand at Christmas Giveaway

Patchogue, New York, USA (December 21, 2020) - It was angels helping angels. And they were all helping families in need Sunday in East Patchogue for the massive “Christmas Miracles 2020” gift giveaway.

Once again, the Suffolk County Hells Angels joined with the Angels of Long Island nonprofit group for the annual event. It was held in the parking lot outside the Angels of Long Island thrift shop and outreach center off East Main Street.

There, moms and dads currently facing hardships were able to shop for brand-new items for their kids.

All for free. “We wanted children across Long Island to have an amazing Christmas this year,” said Angels of Long Island co-founder Debbie Loesch. “With this coronavirus pandemic our children’s worlds have changed overnight. “But still, Christmas morning needs to be magical.”

Parents from over 200 families got to shop.

Nine families every half-hour (for social distancing purposes) perused the tents. They picked presents from among new toys, bikes, scooters, skateboards, electronics and more. They also got a bundle of stocking stuffers. 

All the families left with hats and gloves, and a complete Christmas meal of turkey, ham, hot and sweet Italian sausage, and other groceries. “We couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of the Suffolk chapter of the Hells Angels and a long list of local businesses and Long Island residents,’ Loesch said.

The Hells Angels motorcycle club first heard about the Long Island Angels’ giveaway last fall, when the nonprofit was struggling to meet demand. Then they swooped in with toys like a bunch of Santa's with their sacks. Then they did it again Sunday for this year’s event.

Normally secretive, the local Hells Angels charter has been quietly involved with helping nonprofits across Long Island. “We got word that the Angels of Long Island needed toys and we wanted to help them out,” Billy, a sergeant of arms for the group who couldn’t give his full name, said last year.

“We start collecting early on in the year with different events, including our Christmas party, where everyone brings an unwrapped gift to donate,” he said.

SOURCE: Greater Patchogue

Retired Undercover Cop Decides to Write a Book

Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (December 17, 2020) - A retired Ontario Provincial cop from Sudbury has released a book of his career. He titled it '1% Hatred' and it details Dan Rocheleau's experiences, starting as a rookie cop in Chapleau, to serving in Sudbury and being involved in major undercover drug investigations in Ontario and Quebec.

"There is a lot of humor in it and there is a lot of the undercover work that I did in two provinces," said Rocheleau. "And dealing with everything from serial killers to outlaw bikers to traditional organized crime." He states that he wrote the book when COVID forced people to stay home. He said that he hopes it helps readers see the different aspects of policing.

"When you are working in organized crime like that, it changes hourly almost it feels," he said. "It's not like working in uniform where you have a schedule and pattern to go through. When you work in organized crime it's completely different." 

 

The tiny book details the his experiences negotiating drug deals with so called outlaw bikers, chasing drug smugglers by boat on the St. Lawrence River and of course, being shot at. "It's bizarre cause now it sort of flashes back up where for 30 years I never thought of it," Rocheleau said. "I just walked away from very bad scenes and just forgot about them."

The officer said he now suffers from PTSD and wants to share a message. "There is help out there, you don't have to be Superman, you can ask for help," said Rocheleau. He also hopes to give back to the community. A small percentage of the proceeds from the book will be donated to NEO Kids and The Hospital for Sick Children.

SOURCE: CTV

Ex-Hells Angels Charter President Denied Jail Release

San Francisco, California, USA (December 16, 2020) - In a court hearing that included a tense back-and-forth between the prosecution and defense attorneys, a federal judge denied a former Hells Angels charter president’s latest bid for release.

Raymond “Ray Ray” Foakes, 57, argued through his attorney that his due process rights were being violated as he’s spent 27 months in jail while still legally presumed innocent with — his attorney argued — as many as three more years to go before his cases even goes to trial. Federal prosecutors countered that courts, including the Ninth Circuit, have routinely found two years to be an acceptable amount of pretrial detention when the defendant is facing serious charges. 

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen said at a Wednesday court hearing that Foakes demonstrated a “continuing pattern” of law violations throughout his life, so he wasn’t confident Foakes would comply with pretrial release conditions if he was freed from jail.

“Mr. Foakes has not conformed, on numerous occasions, time after time, with orders from the courts. That simply cannot be ignored,” Chen said. He added, though, it was “not inconceivable” a similar motion could succeed at a future date if Foakes ends up spending a lengthier time in jail.

Foakes’ attorney, George Boisseau, said that Foakes’ jail stay has been so long that it has “become punitive” and amounted to a due process violation. He said Foakes has a job offer in Oakley and is willing to stay on house arrest with “stringent conditions.”

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Boisseau also argued that witnesses in the case haven’t been threatened or intimidated by Foakes nor his co-defendants, even though their names and locations are commonly known. When it was his turn to speak, assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Barry called that remark “a form of intimidation.”  “Mr. Boisseau’s argument that, ‘we know who the witnesses are and we know where they live’ is a form of a threat,” Barry said.

Later in the hearing, Boisseau shot back at Barry and sharply denied he’d threatened anyone.

“I take offense to that,” Boisseau said. “I’ve been an attorney for a long time with an unblemished record, probably longer than Mr. Barry has been an attorney.”  “I didn’t read Barry’s comment as saying you were a risk,” Chen said to Boisseau.

Foakes, who was once president of the Hells Angels Sonoma Charter, is accused of an “hours-long” beating of a victim that occurred in November 2016, and that prosecutors say culminated with someone forcibly tattooing the victim’s face, and Foakes declaring he would shoot the victim until fellow members of the motorcycle club dissuaded him. The charge is part of a racketeering case aimed at 11 alleged Hells Angels members.

Both pretrial services and the U.S. Probation department opposed Foakes being released. Chen said the “yardstick mark” for Foakes’ motion is how much time he’s actually spent in jail, not how much time he could potentially spend awaiting trial, and agreed that 27 months was acceptable.

The basis for Boisseau’s motion was that Foakes is set to go on trial after a number of his co-defendants — who, unlike Foakes, are accused of participating in a murder and illegal cremation of a fellow Hells Angels member in Fresno — are tried in October 2021. But Barry said that federal prosecutors are working to get Foakes into the earlier trial. “We want him in the first trial group,” Barry said. 

SOURCE: The Mercury