Eleven Members Of The Pagan’s Motorcycle Club Charged With Narcotics Distribution, Firearms Offenses, And Violent Crimes In Aid Of Racketeering

 The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey released the below information: 

NEWARK, N.J. – Two high-ranking members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club were arrested today for assault in aid of racketeering, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced. 

Luis Arocho, aka “LuRoc,” 43, of Keansburg, New Jersey, and Maurice Guzman, aka “Dawg,” 51, of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count of aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. They are scheduled to appear by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre. 

“Today’s arrests are the latest in a long-running investigation into the illegal activities of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said. “We have now charged 11 members of this outlaw gang with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. Together with our federal, state, and local partners, we remain fully committed to combatting violent crime in New Jersey and prosecuting the members of the criminal organizations who are responsible for it.”    

“This investigation has dealt a significant blow to the Pagans motorcycle gang,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson said. “The use of violence, weapons, and intimidation was standard for this criminal organization, and law enforcement made it clear that their behavior would not be tolerated. It is a bad day for the Pagans when the combined forces of DEA, ATF, New Jersey State Police and Union County detectives come after you. These arrests made New Jersey safer and this investigation demonstrated the determination of DEA and our amazing partners to pursue the most violent criminal gangs who choose to violate the law.”

“I can say without question that our collective efforts have disrupted and dismantled the daily illegal activities of the Pagans outlaw motorcycle gang, by strategically removing their most violent and most egregious firearm and drug trafficking members and associates,” ATF Newark Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor said. “This collaborative investigation will undoubtedly make communities safer throughout our state and beyond.”

“The success and scale of this investigation is a testament to the impact a collaboration between law enforcement agencies can have on the safety and security of our communities,” Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of investigators and prosecutors in this long-term effort, which occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, dangerous actors, along with mass quantities of narcotics and firearms, have been removed from our streets.”

“Long-term operations of this magnitude require a tremendous amount of work and patience by cooperating detectives, and while the full scope and impact of this investigation may yet be fully realized, its success continues a year after it began,” Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said. “I commend the hard work and dedication of all the agencies involved. Their efforts have led to the arrests of violent offenders and the seizure of weapons and drugs, which has undoubtedly made our communities safer.”

According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:

On April 24, 2018, Arocho, Guzman, and other associates of the Pagans assaulted an associate of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club at a gas station in Newark. The Pagans and the Hells Angels have a long-standing rivalry. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched, and kicked by the Pagans assailants, resulting in significant injuries. Both Arocho and Guzman are high-ranking leaders in the Pagans’ organization. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Nicholas Bucciarelli, aka “Booch,” 56, of Brooklawn, New Jersey, with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, arising from his commission of a gang-related gunpoint assault in which an associate of the Pagans was assaulted for breaking the organization’s rules. Nicholas Marino, aka “Lefty,” 75, of Williamstown, New Jersey, Anthony D’Alessandro, aka “Fugit,” 55, of Williamstown, New Jersey, and Michael Dorazo, aka “Cage,” 42, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, were previously charged by federal criminal complaint for their roles in the assault. At the time of their arrests, Bucciarelli was the sergeant at arms for the Pagans’ Camden County membership chapter, Marino and D’Alessandro served as the president and sergeant at arms, respectively, for the Pagans’ Gloucester County membership chapter, and Dorazo was a member of the Pagans. Bucciarelli was also indicted for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine.

These charges were filed as part of a multi-agency investigation into the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club – an outlaw motorcycle gang known to engage in illegal activity, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crimes. The Pagans have established membership chapters in numerous states and U.S. territories, including multiple active chapters in New Jersey. This investigation involved court-authorized wiretaps, the use of multiple undercover law enforcement agents, and execution of multiple search warrants at physical locations in multiple jurisdictions. Through the investigation, law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of methamphetamine. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office previously announced the arrest of Keith Richter, aka “Conan” – the national president of the Pagans – in connection with his illegal possession of a firearm on Feb. 20, 2021. Those charges remain pending.

Law enforcement officials also previously arrested the following individuals in connection with the investigation. (Each of the defendants is charged by federal criminal complaint; the specific charges and corresponding penalties are listed in the chart below.)

Larry Ortiz, aka “Savage,” 31, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Junius Aquino, aka “Jayo,” 38, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, were charged with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for their roles in a gang-related shooting. On Oct. 28, 2020, Ortiz and Aquino shot at an associate of a rival gang while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike. The shooting was committed as part of an ongoing dispute between the Pagans and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

Aquino was also charged in a separate criminal complaint with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in connection with a shooting that occurred three days later. On Oct. 31, 2020, Aquino shot at an occupied vehicle in Elizabeth. Law enforcement officers recovered seven .40 caliber shell casings from the shooting scene. On Nov. 5, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Aquino’s residence and recovered, among other items, multiple .40 caliber rounds of ammunition and approximately 50 grams of cocaine. After law enforcement officers recovered the cocaine from Aquino’s residence, Aquino was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of Aquino’s arrest, he was the vice president of the Pagans’ Elizabeth membership chapter. 

Ortiz was also charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Nov. 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s residence and recovered approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans’ Jersey City membership chapter.

Daniel Hooban, aka “Jersey,” 33, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On June 29, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hooban’s residence and recovered approximately 30 grams of cocaine and a loaded firearm. At the time of Hooban’s arrest, he was the sergeant at arms for the Pagans’ Jersey City membership chapter.

Glen Turner, aka “Glenny,” 73, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Turner is a long-time member of the Pagans. On Dec. 10, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Turner’s residence and recovered approximately 450 grams of methamphetamine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited a joint task force comprised of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gibson; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Taylor; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Ruotolo; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Callahan, with the investigation leading to these charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Timothy D. Sini; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacomo Sacca; special agents of the FBI Cherry Hill Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll in Philadelphia; and the West Deptford Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Chambers, for their assistance with this investigation.

These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Frazer, R. Joseph Gribko, and Samantha C. Fasanello, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints and indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Gives Key Department Of Justice Task Force New Tools To Dismantle MS-13

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information:

Taking another step toward fulfilling President Trump’s goal of stamping out the brutal transnational criminal organization MS-13, Attorney General Jeff Sessions today formally designated the gang as a priority for the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (“OCDETF”).

Addressing the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Attorney General explained that the formal priority designation of MS-13 allows OCDETF to utilize an expanded toolkit in its efforts to dismantle the organization. This means that OCDETF should look to all laws in its investigative and prosecutorial efforts, including drug laws, gun laws, tax laws, RICO, and anything else that will cripple the gang. In his speech, the Attorney General said:

“But this work is not finished.  I am announcing today that I have designated MS-13 as a priority for our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.  These task forces bring together a broad coalition of our federal prosecutors, DEA, FBI, ATF, ICE, HSI, the IRS, the Department of Labor Inspector General, the Postal Service Inspectors, the Secret Service, the Marshals Service, and the Coast Guard.  And they all have one mission: to go after drug criminals and traffickers at the highest levels.

"Now they will go after MS-13 with a renewed vigor and a sharpened focus.  I am announcing that I have authorized them to use every lawful tool to investigate MS-13—not just our drug laws, but everything from RICO to our tax laws to our firearms laws.  Just like we took Al Capone off the streets with our tax laws, we will use whatever laws we have to get MS-13 off of our streets.”

Note: I wrote a piece on MS-13 for Counterterrorism magazine. I’ll post it here when it comes out.

Gutfeld: Orlando’s Doom. The Most Depressing Article You Will Ever Share. Share It Anyway

Greg Gutfeld, a clever and amusing writer and broadcaster on Foxnews, offers an interesting idea.

You can watch the video clip and read the piece via the below link:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/06/20/gutfeld-orlando-s-doom-most-depressing-article-will-ever-share-share-it-anyway.html?cmpid=NL_opinion

Stephen Hunter On The Police Shooting Of Tamir Rice

 

Stephen Hunter, author of I. Ripper and a good number of thrillers featuring former Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, offers a piece on the police shooting of Tamir Rice for powerlineblog.com.

 

We first got to know Stephen Hunter when he was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post movie critic. He is best known as a successful novelist, and he happens to know a great deal about guns. I, Ripper is his new novel. Published last month, it is in bookstores now.

Here he offers his reflections on the case of Tamir Rice on the occasion of a Cleveland judge sounding off on the fate of the cop involved, as covered by NBC News. Submitted for your consideration:

We all know that the police are waging war on young black men. Perhaps the most egregious example of this is the November shooting of Tamir Rice in Cleveland while he was holding a toy gun. A white officer emerged from his car and in less than five seconds fired lethal rounds into the innocent youngster holding–oh, wait, it was a pellet gun.

Hmmm. Seems to be some confusion here. Was it a toy gun or a pellet gun, which are quite different? Well, one place you won’t find the truth is NBC News, which tonight identified the pistol as BOTH a toy and a pellet gun, the first by anchorman Lester Holt, the second by a field correspondent. Of course both were wrong.

It was a Japanese airsoft gun., which fires (on the propulsion of either spring or gas) a 6 mm BB. But the point of airsoft isn’t what it shoots, but what it looks like. These are brilliantly accurate plastic reproductions of real guns. They are accurate to size, color, precise location and scale of operating mechanisms such as safeties or take-down levers, sights, stocks (frequently wood) and even operation. On the automatic versions the slide may be jacked backwards as on the real things, a magazine may be inserted into the butt and, when fired, the gas pneumatically drives the slide back, as if to eject a shell and allow another shell into the chamber. On the revolver variations, the cylnders rotate and may be disengaged from the frame to allow insertion of extremely authentic appearing cartridges into the six chambers. They cock and function, in all interactions, just like the real thing. 

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2015/06/stephen-hunter-the-case-of-tamir-rice.php

Note: I've reviewed several of Stephen Hunter's fine thrillers. You can read my Washington Times review of The Third Bullet via the below link:

http://www.pauldavisoncrime.com/2013/03/my-washington-times-review-of-stephen.html

Hells Angels Members And Associates Convicted And Sentenced After Joint Investigation Uncovers Racketeering Conspiracy Dealing In Guns, Drugs, Armed Robbery, Arson, And Money Laundering

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information today:

COLUMBIA, SC—As part of a cooperative federal, state, and local investigation, 16 members and associates of the Hells Angels were convicted in federal court of crimes related to a racketeering conspiracy (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO Act, 18 U.S.C. §1962).

Today, three full-patch members of the Hells Angels—Hells Angels Charter President Mark “Lightning” Baker, as well as “Gravel” Dave Oiler and Bruce “Bruce-Bruce” Long—were sentenced after having been convicted by a jury of racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearm offenses. United States District Judge Cameron Currie sentenced Baker to 188 months, Oiler to 200 months, and Long to 168 months.

Previously, 12 other members and associates of the Hells Angels were sentenced after having pleaded guilty. One defendant, Carlos Hernandez, remains to be sentenced.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles said, “We are pleased to partner with federal, state, and local law enforcement in response to community concerns about outlaw motorcycle gangs. Removing machine-guns, silencers, assault rifles, other illegal firearms, and drugs from our streets while disrupting the trafficking activities of violent gangs, such as the Hells Angels, is and will remain a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office.”

Members and associates of the Hells Angels South Carolina Nomads Charter operated from Lexington to Rock Hill, South Carolina. As part of the coordinated criminal activity, the group engaged in drug dealing, money laundering, firearms trafficking, use of firearms in relation to crimes of violence and drug dealing, attempted armed robbery, arson, and other offenses.

The Hells Angels’ leadership coordinated the criminal activity and received kickbacks or cuts of the illicit proceeds generated by members and associates of the Hells Angels. During the investigation, the gang’s leadership transitioned from long-time Hells Angels member “Diamond” Dan Bifield to recent inductee Mark “Lightning” Baker after the charter’s members voted Bifield out as president. Throughout, as Baker and Bifield explained in recorded conversations, members of the Hells Angels were to pay a cut of their profits from illegal activity to the Hells Angels and its leadership.

Though professing to live outside the structure of society’s laws as so-called “outlaws” or “one-percenters” (denoting that they are the one percent that refuses to abide by the law), the investigation showed the Hells Angels to have a highly organized hierarchical chain of command governed by extensive written rules.

Membership, which is limited to white males that own an American-made motorcycle, requires more than a year of association with the gang. Only full members may wear the three-piece patch with the winged death head that has become synonymous with the Hells Angels.

The investigation revealed that the Hells Angels trafficked in a wide-array of firearms, knowing that the weapons were being sold to known felons for use in armed robberies of other drug dealers. In excess of one hundred guns were trafficked by the group (including by Bifield, Long, Pryor, Keach, and others) and recovered during the execution of search warrants, including fully automatic machine-guns, silencers, assault rifles with high-capacity magazines, pistols, and sawed-off shotguns.
Members of the organization not only supplied weapons, they also supplied methamphetamine (known as “biker’s coffee”) and cocaine, along with bath salts and prescription pain pills.

The evidence showed that the defendants were responsible for more than five pounds of methamphetamine and multiple kilograms of cocaine. For example, Baker and Oiler obtained for re-distribution pounds of high-quality methamphetamine from Kerry Chitwood, a member of the Gastonia, North Carolina-based Southern Gentlemen Motorcycle Club. During their drug trafficking activities, club members traded on the Hells Angels’ infamous reputation to instill fear and obtain the drugs they wanted. Similarly, Bifield and Long distributed more than a kilogram of cocaine and bath salts obtained from a variety of sources. Other members of this drug conspiracy (including “Big” Frank Enriquez and Baker) trafficked in prescription pain pills.

“The Hells Angels are one of the most notorious biker gangs in the United States,” FBI Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas explained. “Working with our federal, state, and local partners, we are committed to using our resources on the most significant problems facing our state. These convictions send a strong message that the coordinated efforts of law enforcement can disrupt, and hopefully dismantle, organized gang activity.”

After a month-long trial, a federal jury convicted Baker of racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, and money laundering; Oiler of racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, various counts of narcotics distribution and attempted distribution, money laundering, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and a crime of violence, and illegal possession of a machine-gun and silencer; and Long of racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, various counts of narcotics distribution and attempted distribution, money laundering, and sale of firearms for use in drug trafficking and a crime of violence. These three received sentences ranging from 14 years to over 16 years.

Previously, six defendants pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy and were sentenced by the court: “Diamond” Dan Bifield (210 months), David “Yard Owl” Pryor (84 months), Richard “Little Mark” Thrower (27 months), “Big” Frank Enriquez (24 months), Fred Keach (10 months), and Johanna Looper (15 months). Three defendants pleaded guilty to a narcotics conspiracy and were sentenced by the court: Kerry “Gowilla” Chitwood (240 months), “Big” Ron Byrum (51 months), and Trent Brown (24 months). Lisa Bifield pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and a crime of violence and was sentenced to 84 months in prison. James “Sonny” Rhodus pleaded guilty to money laundering, receiving five years of probation, while Bruce “Diesel” Wilson pleaded guilty to selling a firearm to a known felon and received 18 months in federal prison.

“ATF will continue to work in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to identify organized violent criminals in our joint effort to protect the public,” said ATF Charlotte Division Special Agent in Charge Wayne Dixie, “The sentencing of members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in federal court should send a loud and clear message to anyone who chooses to engage in this type of criminal activity; it cannot and will not be tolerated and you will be held accountable.”

This multi-agency investigation led by FBI Special Agent Devon Mahoney began in response to community concerns about the infiltration of the Rock Hill community by outlaw motorcycle gangs and the brewing violence developing between members of rival outlaw motorcycle gangs. Ultimately, the investigation—through cooperating individuals, surveillance, search warrants, court‑authorized wiretaps, consensual recordings, controlled buys, stings, and other investigative
techniques—provided a window into the Hells Angels’ criminal activities that led to these arrests and convictions.

This investigative partnership—the South Carolina Hells Angels Task Force—included officers and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Lexington Police Department; Lexington County Sheriff’s Department; York County Sheriff’s Department; Rock Hill Police Department; and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay Richardson and Jim May.

Chasing The Drugs, Guns And Violence: My Night Out With The Philadelphia Police Narcotics Field Unit South

My piece on my night out with the Philadelphia Police Narcotics Field Unit South appears in the latest issue of Counterterrorism magazine. 

You can read the piece above or the below text:

“We have two search warrants set up for today,” Philadelphia Police Officer Theresa Weaver told her passenger, a writer along for the ride to Southwest Philadelphia to observe the actions of the Philadelphia Police Narcotics Field Unit South. “We will be attempting to make buys with a confidential informant. And if those buys are successful, we’ll be executing the two search warrants on the properties.” 

Weaver explains that they generally have confidential informants (CIs) make two or three narcotics buys before they execute a warrant. 

“These are independent, street level drug dealers,” her partner, Officer Greg Barber explained. 

Barber, who grew up in West and Southwest Philadelphia, said that crack cocaine and heroin were the popular drugs being sold on the street. 

“Most of your crime is associated with drugs. The stealing and the shootings, the robberies and the home invasions are committed by people trying to get money for drugs,” Barber said. “Drugs lead to confrontations between different neighborhoods and that’s when the shootings come about.” 

There are ten officers in the squad, and they met in the 19th Police District to plan for the first raid on a drug house. The officers are dressed mostly in Dickies work clothing, which allows them to blend in on the street. 

The officers were given assignments and positions. One officer was equipped with a hand-held battering ram to take down the door and another officer was issued a shotgun. Two uniform officers were assigned to accompany the undercover narcotics officers. 

“Because of the way we execute the warrants, we don’t give them an opportunity to fight,” Weaver said. “Planning is everything,” 

Barber added. The squad parked their unmarked cars in the vicinity of the drug house and waited for the call on their radio that said the confidential informant (CI) made the buy. The buy was made and the officers rushed to the house and quickly placed several young men down on the porch and placed them in handcuffs. 

A couple of young men ran and some of the officers chased them down the street. The remaining officers searched the house for drugs and guns. The officers found crack and marijuana and they found two guns hidden in the ceiling. 

Lt Robert Otto, the unit’s commander, explained that the narcotics unit requires a tremendous amount of personal sacrifice from the officers, aside from the fact that they are putting their lives on the line. 

“Crack and heroin are the most addictive drugs I’ve seen in my career and with that I see a lot of violence,” Otto said. “Recently, there has also been a surge in the abuse and sale of prescription pills.” 

Otto said that close to 50% of their investigations now deal with prescription drugs, which are extremely addictive. 

“We also get involved with chasing the violence,” Otto explained. “A lot of violent crime happens as a result of narcotics.” 

Sgt Berle “Chico” Brereton, a 24-year narcotics veteran and the son of a retired narcotics officer, explained that the squad attacks the mid-level to lower-level drug traffickers on the street. 

“We’ve hit this house before and we’ve gotten guns and drugs out of this house before. This is one of the problem houses in the district. They had a homicide here last year,” Brereton said. 

Brereton said they put in a call to have the city “seal” the house so the drug dealers can’t return to operate there. “We’ll shut this nuisance down, get the guns off the street and maybe no one will get shot here.” 

Brereton said the people who are buying drugs at this level are users who break into cars, break into people’s houses, and rob people on the street to get money to buy drugs. 

“There are decent people here who can’t move. We’re the only people who are going to help them,” Brereton said. “We’re proactive. We come out here every day and lock people up. We call the Southwest detectives and they come and debrief the people we locked up and then follow up on shootings, homicides and crimes like that. “My squad is predominantly black,” Brereton said. “We try to preach to the young black kids involved with drugs.” 

Otto said that one of the main objectives was to get into a house like this and remove the guns that normally go with drugs and violence. He said that the two recovered guns might be responsible for countless murders. “I tell my guys all of the time; you’re never going to know until you meet your Maker just how many people you have saved by getting these guns off the street,” Otto said.