Jury ready to decide Mongols MC fate over patch

Santa Ana, California, (January 9, 2019) BTN — Allowing the government to take control of the Mongols motorcycle club’s prized patches would be a “death sentence” for the organization, an attorney for the motorcycle club argued on Tuesday.  

It is a muscled Genghis Khan-like figure on a chopper, part of a set of patches which members say display their brotherhood with other members.

Unknown Mongols MC members

A jury recently convicted the organization on racketeering and conspiracy charges.

Now that same jury must decide if there is a link between the patches and the racketeering acts. If so, the Mongols must give up what is called their collective membership marks, their patches. The forfeiture would be a penalty for outlaw activity.

Related | Mongols MC found guilty of racketeering

Related | Feds betting Mongols MC will not survive 

Related | A Motorcycle Club can’t conspire with itself

Related | Mongols MC trademark trial wrapping up 

Related | Jesse Ventura defends Mongols MC in federal court

Related | Feds attempt to seize Mongols MC trademarked logo

Related | Mongols MC: Feds going after clubs colors at racketeering trial

The Mongols did not speak to the media Tuesday while the case was in trial, but days ago they described the significance of the badges.

"It means everything to us. This is a lifestyle, a culture and a way of life," said David Santillan, national president of the Mongols Motorcycle Club.

The Mongols say that the criminal convictions sprang from acts committed a decade ago, under the leadership of a president that the Mongols kicked out themselves .

"If it wasn't sad it would be funny, these things have nothing to do with alleged racketeering," lead Mongols attorney Joe Yanny told the jury.

Retired ATF undercover agent Darrin Kozlowski testified that members were allowed to buy patches or had them awarded according to what they carried out for the club.

Prosecutor Steve Welk told the jury that the marks serve as a unifying symbol for an organization that deals drugs, intimidates, engages in violence and even commits murder.

The Mongols say the racketeering acts and other offenses were committed by bad apples, not the entire membership.

It's a case like none other undertaken by the U.S. government. If the jury finds for the prosecution a separate proceeding will follow to determine whether compelled forfeiture of the patches would violate the Mongols' First Amendment rights.

SOURCE: LA Daily News

Police arrest Hells Angel MC member during raid

London, Ontario (January 8, 2019) BTN — One person remains on the lam, yet two people were arrested and a slew of items was seized — including drugs and three Hells Angels vests — during police raids in London over the weekend.

Police are still looking for a 27-year-old woman, but made the two arrests and seized the drugs during raids on Saturday morning in London.

Provincial police executed the search warrants with the help of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, the Biker Enforcement Unit, London police’s Guns and Drugs Section, and the RCMP.

Between two homes on Wharncliffe Road North and Springmeadow Road and a storage locker on Scanlon Street, officers seized $15,400 worth of cocaine, 12 Percocet pills, two Tasers, brass knuckles, drug packaging, weigh scales, cell phones, cash, and three Hell’s Angels vests.

27-year-old female suspect sought and 2 people charged after 154 grams of cocaine, other drugs, weapons and Hell’s Angels vests seized by #OPP, @lpsmediaoffice and @RCMPONT in London. If you can help, call 1-888-310-1122 or @CSOntario anonymously 1-800-222-8477. pic.twitter.com/RTPKnjvYlx

— Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_News) January 8, 2019

Sean Burger, a 47-year-old London man and known Hell’s Angel member, has been charged with possession of cocaine and Percocet for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm or ammunition, and possession of a prohibited device. He appeared in court Monday.

Jessica Boloshetshenko, a 33-year-old London woman, has been charged with possession of Percocet and unauthorized possession of a weapon. She’s expected to appear in court Feb. 15.

Police say they continue to search for a 27-year-old woman.

SOURCE: Twitter

Bandidos MC member allegedly threatens cop

St. Marys, New South Wales, Australia (January 8, 2019) BTN — A senior member of the St Marys Bandidos Motorcycle Club has fronted Penrith Court on Monday after he allegedly threatened a St Marys police officer last week.

Police allege the 29-year-old St Clair man went to the St Marys police station on Thursday and threatened one of the officers.

The man was being investigated after Strike Force Raptor detectives raided his home in November of last year and allegedly seized drugs, various prescription medications and a gun safe containing a 12-guage shotgun, ammunition and various documentations.

The raid was part of ongoing operation Strike Force Raptor which served a firearms prohibition order to the then 28-year-old man at a St Clair home on Saturday November 3.

SOURCE: Daily Telegraph

Guilty: Cop pulled gun on Hells Angels members

Willoughby, Ohio (January 7, 2019) BTN — A judge is expected to sentence a fired Euclid police officer Thursday after he pleaded guilty to pulling a gun on suspected member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club during a bar brawl. Todd Gauntner, a 32-year-old who was fired after the Aug. 24 fight, pleaded guilty Nov. 29 in Willoughby Municipal Court to using weapons while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He could be sentenced anywhere from a fine to 180 days in jail. Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Marisa Cornachio ordered that Gauntner is not allowed to own a gun and set his sentencing hearing for Thursday. Gauntner started an argument with two suspected members of the motorcycle club — Dustin Wolf, 28, and Brandley Peterson, 40— at Frank and Tony’s Place bar on 2nd Street in Willoughby, according to police reports. Gauntner pulled out a gun and put it to one of the men’s head, according to police.

Related | Cop fired that placed gun to a HAMC member's head
Related | Cop on leave for starting bar brawl with Hells Angels

A witness told police the trio fought behind the bar and broke several bottles, according to police. Bar employees tried to break up the fight before police arrived. Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail fired Gauntner on Sept. 17.

Gail wrote in a letter sent to Gauntner notifying him of his firing that that he had the choice to “remove himself 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." Wolf and Peterson both pleaded guilty to aggravated disorderly conduct and were fined $200. Their 30-day jail sentences were suspended.

Gauntner was a four-year veteran of the Euclid Police Department once honored for saving the life of a man shot 16 times. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan. Gauntner previously was convicted of a crime involving a gun in 2015. He pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm in an incident that happened Thanksgiving at Sims Park in Euclid.

In that case, he told investigators he was dealing with the death of a family member the park and fired shots from two guns into Lake Erie. 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.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com