FBI says Hells Angels member hired a pal to kill ex

Lexington Hells Angel hired a pal to kill ex-wife for money, FBI says

COLUMBIA, SC  (November 10, 2017) — Jerry Oliver needed money. Debts were piling up. So Oliver, 52, hired a friend to kill his ex-wife to make sure that she did not get some of his 401(k) retirement money. He gave his friend a Glock semiautomatic pistol with a full magazine and a bullet in the chamber.

Unknown to Oliver, a member of the Lexington County-Columbia chapter of the Hells Angel motorcycle club, his friend had a secret – he was a source for the FBI.

That was the testimony earlier this week of veteran FBI agent Craig Januchowski in federal court in Columbia during a hearing for Oliver, a laundry and linen service manager in Lexington County.

Hells Angel emblem U.S. - Department of Justice

“Mr. Oliver said he could provide a throwaway gun,” testified Januchowski, who has participated in a number of high-profile FBI cases, including helping conduct a key videotaped interview with Charleston church killer Dylann Roof, in which Roof bragged about killing nine African-Americans at their weekly Bible study.

 In mid-October, after the source retrieved the loaded gun that Oliver allegedly had left for him, Januchowski and other agents arrested Oliver.

A federal grand jury indicted Oliver on weapons and murder for hire-related charges. Oliver had requested this week’s hearing to see if a judge would set bond so he get out of jail pending his trial.

But, after hearing Januchowski’s testimony, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paige Gossett ruled Oliver was both a flight risk and a “danger to the community.” She ordered him held without bond until trial.

‘Full patch’ Hells Angel

Oliver is a “full patch” Hells Angel, Januchowski testified, meaning he is a full-fledged member. Hells Angels clubs “pose a criminal threat,” according to the U.S. Justice Department, but not all members commit criminal acts.

“The government is ready to go to trial as soon as we can set a court date,” assistant U.S. Attorney Jim May told Gossett.

During the hearing, Januchowski revealed unpublicized details about the charges against Oliver:

Several months ago, Januchowski testified, a friend told Oliver that he needed help to fight a DUI charge. The friend was a truck driver, and a drunken-driving conviction would mean the friend would lose his job.

Oliver told the friend that he would give him $1,500 to hire a lawyer to fight the DUI charge if the friend would kill his ex-wife. Oliver didn’t want his ex-wife to get half of his 401(k), the subject of a court dispute between Oliver and his ex-wife.

The friend, who had a confidential relationship with the FBI, told the FBI about the deal, and agreed to wear a secret miniature video and audio recording device. Subsequently, Oliver and the FBI source discussed accessing the ex-wife’s Facebook page to see what she looked like and the best way to kill her, including “a gang-banger drive-by shooting,” Januchowski testified.

Also, “they had some initial plan to make it look like a robbery gone wrong,” testified Januchowski, adding the FBI has “numerous recordings” of the source’s meetings with Oliver.

Oliver told the FBI source he would leave a gun under the front seat of an old Studebaker car on his property. With three FBI agents, the friend retrieved the loaded Glock .40-caliber handgun with a round chambered, Januchowski testified.

‘Doesn’t make a lot of sense’

Oliver’s attorney, Ben Stitely of Lexington, urged Gossett to let Oliver get out on bond.

Oliver has no criminal record, owns his house, pays taxes and has held the same job for 15 years. He has another ex-wife “with whom he has no problems,” has children and grandchildren he takes care of, and a current live-in girlfriend that he has a stable relationship with.

“He’s more than happy to comply with any conditions,” Stitely said.

Moreover, the amount in the 401(k) was only about $30,000, and the only witness is a “snitch,” the defense attorney said.

Of the charges, Stitely said: “It just doesn’t make a lot of sense, judge.”

SOURCE: The State

Another Outlaws MC Arrested Over Killing

Third biker arrested in slaying of rival club member 

LEESBURG, FL (June 28, 2017) —– A third biker wanted in the murder of a rival biker during Leesburg Bikefest weekend was arrested Tuesday.

Miguel Angel Torres III, 37, of Rockledge was the Outlaw Motorcycle Club member who reportedly forced David Russell James Donovan and his fellow Kingsmen MC chapter members out of the Circle K.

Torres allegedly put a knife to Donovan’s throat, directed him to the corner of the building and forced him to his knees before another Outlaws member, Marc Edward Knotts, shot him in the back, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Donovan later died of his injuries at a hospital.

Related | Outlaws MC member indicted for murder

Torres was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The heavily tattooed Torres remained in the Lake County Jail on Wednesday morning without bail. Torres, who had a warrant out for his arrest, was taken into custody at the Lake County courthouse.

Miguel Torres

The shooting occurred the night of April 29 at Circle K on West Main Street, a few miles west of Leesburg Bikefest going on in downtown Leesburg.

According to police and the prosecutor on the case, Torres, Jesus Alberto Marrero, 35, and Gregory Alan Umphress, 32, had confronted Donavan and three other Kingsmen in the store, demanded they give up their vests and club insignias and forced them outside when they refused.

According to a police report, the Outlaws had been challenging several motorcycle clubs throughout Florida, including the Kingsmen, to join their group or “submit to their authority.”


They demanded the club insignias of those who refused.

But once in the parking lot, an Outlaws member put a large knife to Donovan’s throat, forced him to his knees and demanded he surrender his vest. Donavan refused and Knotts, president of the Ocala/Marion County chapter of the Outlaws, reportedly ordered his men to “shoot that (expletive).”

The Outlaws fled

Donovan, who went by the nickname Gutter, was shot three times in the back and died at a Sanford hospital days later.

Knotts, who was shot in the incident, and Marrero, 35, already have been indicted with principal to capital murder and kidnapping in the slaying.

Authorities are still looking for Umphress.

SOURCE: Daily Commercial 

High Speed Motorcycle Chase Leads To Arrest

Cops Suspect He is a Warlocks MC Member

KERSHAW COUNTY, SC (June 27, 2017) — A suspected Warlocks Motorcycle Club member with a lengthy record was arrested after a high speed pursuit, according to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Jody Fogle was arrested after a high speed chase on Interstate 20, according to Sheriff Jim Matthews.

Matthews had just completed a traffic stop when he said he saw a motorcycle approaching him from behind at a high rate of speed.

The motorcycle was being driven by Fogle and Matthews was able to determine that the motorcycle was traveling at 101 mph. Matthews then attempted to make a stop by activating his blue lights and siren.

Fogle didn’t stop, however, but increased his speed to about 104 mph and continued eastbound on I-20 before exiting at the rest area on I-20 between US 601 and US 521.

He was ultimately taken into custody coming out of the rest rooms at the rest area. Fogle was carrying several knives and a set of brass knuckles when arrest, according to Matthews. He was wearing “Warlocks” colors when arrested and investigators are currently attempting to determine if he is a validated “Warlocks” outlaw motorcycle club member.

Jody Fogle

Fogle has an extensive criminal history and has been arrested in the past for multiple DUI’s, multiple simple assault and battery offenses, multiple offenses of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, disorderly conduct, violation of probation, accessory after the fact of a felony, multiple offenses for marijuana possession, multiple offenses for driving under suspension, contempt of circuit court, contempt of family court, possession of cocaine/meth, reckless driving, multiple offense for failure to stop for a blue light, possession of a firearm by convicted violent felon and speeding more than 25mph over limit.

Fogle is now facing charges of speeding 104 in a 70, habitual offender, DUS 3rd offense and failure to stop for a blue light (3rd offense). He is currently being detained at the Kershaw County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

SOURCE: Watch Fox57

Bandidos MC: Club leader trial begins

Trial begins for Fort Worth Bandido's  MC leader accused in rival’s death

Fort Worth, TX (June 6, 2017) — Under heavy security, the trial started Monday for a Fort Worth motorcycle club leader who authorities say in 2014 ordered the killing of a member of another club.

Howard Wayne Baker, 62, is suspected of engaging in organized crime and directing the activities of a street gang. Prosecutors say Baker, president of the Fort Worth Bandidos MC, gave the order to shoot Geoffrey Brady, 41, on Dec. 12, 2014, during an ambush at a bar at 2813 Race St.

Pictured: Howard Wayne Baker

Baker, who is also accused of shooting Brady, was booked into jail two days later and released the same day after posting $100,000 bail, according to court records. Brady died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors told the jury that two other club members were shot, threatened and beaten during the ambush and a third was beaten.

The Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center had heavy security Monday as a contingent of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers roamed the open areas. No electronic devices were allowed inside the courtroom during the trial.

Troopers were stationed through out the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center as the trial began. 

Mitch Mitchell at: Star-Telegram  

One Tarrant County prosecutor described motorcycle clubs as a shadow population who have no respect for civilized behavior, law enforcement or human life.

“There is an entire group of individuals who operate alongside you who follow their own set of rules,” she said. Bandidos “consider Texas their territory as far as motorcycle gangs go. If you are a motorcycle gang in Texas, you have to pay homage to, money to the Bandidos.”

At the time of the shooting there was a disagreement between several motorcycle clubs as to whether the Bandidos would continue to be the ruling club in Texas, according to Doug Pearson, a Colorado-based motorcycle gang expert with the Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives.

According to court documents, an informant told investigators that Bandidos were tipped off that members of the Ghost Riders, a rival motorcycle club, would be at the bar on the night Brady was shot. Bandidos stormed the bar to let the other club know Texas was their turf, the prosecutor said.

“They dragged Geoff Brady out of the front door and executed him in front of his wife and friends,” Bangs, the prosecutor, said. “They stood over him in a circle and Howard Baker was standing in that circle.”

Baker turned off his cell phone after the attack and then turned it back on later, sending and answering text messages that feigned ignorance of everything that happened that night, Bangs said.

When another Tarrant County prosecutor asked Pearson whether the ambush could have taken place without Baker’s knowledge and approval, Pearson replied, “Absolutely not.”

Testimony is expected to continue Tuesday in state District Judge George Gallagher’s court.

SOURCE:  Star-Telegram 

Outlaws MC members indicted for murder

Outlaws MC members indicted in shooting death of rival club member

Leesburg, FL, (June 5, 2017) — A couple of jailed Outlaws MC members were indicted Friday in the shooting death of a rival club member during the weekend of the Leesburg Bikefest.

Marc Edward Knotts, 48, and Jesus Alberto Marrero, 35, also were charged in the indictment with principle to capital murder and kidnapping for the slaying of David Russell James Donovan, vice-president of the Kingsmen MC chapter in Leesburg.

Pictured: Marc Edward Knotts (L) and Jesus Alberto Marrero (R) 

Hugh Bass, assistant state attorney in Leesburg, Florida  who is prosecuting the case, said Monday “through intimidation and fear” Marrero forced Donovan and other Kingsmen out of the store and into the parking lot after the Kingsmen refused to hand over their vests with their club insignias.

Related | Cops: Outlaws shot rival after he refused to give up vest  

Related | Members of Outlaws MC arrested 

Related | Man in Leesburg MC dies from injuries

“The Kingsmen had tried to diffuse the situation and were hoping they could talk their way out of it once outside,” Bass said.

But once in the parking lot, an Outlaws MC member put a large knife to Donovan’s throat, forced him to his knees and demanded he surrender his vest. Donavan refused and Knotts, president of the Ocala/Marion County chapter of the Outlaws, reportedly ordered his men to “shoot that Motherf***er.”

Donovan, who went by the nickname Gutter, was shot three times in the back and died at a Sanford hospital days later.

Bass is trying to determine whether to seek the death penalty for Knotts and Marrero.

Bass said the other three Kingsmen with Donovan were looking around “watching their backs” and didn’t see the shooting.

The three ran back inside after the gunfire and hid behind the shelves as clerks called police.

One of the Kingsmen later cracked open the store door and shot into the parking lot, striking Knotts three times. Knotts, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was hit in the back, arm and leg. He was treated and released from the hospital.

According to a Leeburg, Florida police report, the Kingsmen had gone into the Circle K a few miles west of downtown Leesburg to buy cigarettes when they were confronted by the Outlaws. The Kingsmen were badly outnumbered.

The report adds the Outlaws had been challenging several motorcycle clubs throughout Florida, including the Kingsmen, to join their group or “submit to their authority.”

The Outlaws apparently declared any club that refused would need to disband, close their clubhouses and cease to wear their cuts, or vests adorned with club patches.

Police still are looking for Outlaws members, Angel Torres, 37, and Gregory Alan Umphress, 32, on warrants for conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping.

Investigators believe the man who actually shot Donovan fled afterward. They have not identified him.

Citing self-defense, police don’t expect to charge the man who shot Knotts.

SOURCE: Daily Commercial