5 Pagans Motorcycle Club members arrested in Pennsylvania, including 4 from West Virginia

Sep 1, 2023
BEAVER FALLS, PA (WVNS) — Five members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club were arrested after they reportedly beat Beaver County resident before also stealing the victim’s gun.

Four of the club members arrested were from West Virginia, including three from southern West Virginia.

According to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, members of the Beaver Fall Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police responded to the Big Beaver Ramada Inn for a report of a fight and assault on August 27, 2023, at 1:45 AM.

Once on scene, investigators learned the victim was allegedly beaten by multiple Pagans Motorcycle Club members. The club members reportedly kicked, punched, used brass knuckles, and allegedly put a gun to the victim’s head before stealing the victim’s gun.

It was discovered that the Pagans Motorcycle Club had reserved a block of 32 rooms within the hotel. A search warrant for all 32 rooms was obtained and carried out. Due to the amount of rooms and club members, extra law enforcement, which included two separate SWAT units, was called in as backup.

During the search, 69 people were removed from the rooms and placed under temporary custody for the duration of the search. A total of 26 guns were run through the federal gun registry database. While looking into the guns, it was revealed that one gun was stolen out of West Virginia. The victim’s gun was also returned.

Five sets of brass knuckles, which are considered illegal weapons in Pennsylvania, were also seized during the search.
Four Pagans Motorcycle Club members were arrested and charged with Robbery and Aggravated Assault. One other member was arrested charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Charged:
* John Evans, of Beckley, WV, was charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
* Matthew Richards, of Fayetteville, WV, was charged with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Reception of Stolen Property.
* Adam Lowe, of Mount Hope, WV, was charged with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Reception of Stolen Property.
* Lucas Stone, of Summit Point, WV, was charged with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Reception of Stolen Property.
* Robert Poffenberger, of Fairplay, MD, was charged was charged with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Reception of Stolen Property.
*
The Beaver County District Attorney had this to say regarding the operation:

The District Attorney recognizes the Beaver Falls Police Department for professionally organizing this substantial response to a complex and potentially dangerous situation. We also wish to recognize the Pennsylvania State Police for their assistance, and the Beaver County ESU and Washington County SWAT for their rapid response and assistance.

David J. Lozier | Beaver County District Attorney
All five cases are set for their preliminary hearings on September 8, 2023 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

THE PAGANS - MASSACHUSETTS


State Police raid motorcycle club, arrest 3, confiscate 4 unlawful guns

State Police raided the headquarters of the Pagan Motorcycle Club in Everett and confiscated 4 unlawful guns and arrested 3 men. (State Police photo)

EVERETT – Police raided the headquarters of a motorcycle club, arrested three people, confiscated four unlawful guns and uncovered what officers called an illegal cash bar.

The raid by the Middlesex State Police Unit and the State Police Tactical Operations Team was conducted after an investigation into the Pagan Motorcycle Club. That investigation is continuing, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie said while announcing the arrests.

Police received a search warrant and raided the Pagan Motorcycle Club building on Orient Avenue at about 10:15 p.m., Friday. There were about a dozen club members wearing Pagan patches and insignia and multiple other people in the clubhouse at the time, they said.

During a search of the building, police found four illegally-possessed, semi-automatic handguns with loaded magazines and an additional separate magazine containing ammunition, they said.

Police also uncovered an alleged illegal cash bar operating in the building, they said.

The three people arrested were arraigned in Malden District Court on Monday.

James Snow, 28, of Tewksbury, was charged with two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, two counts of illegal possession of ammunition and two counts of improper storage of a firearm. Judge Jane D. Prince set bail at $1,000 but he remains in jail because she revoked bail on a previous firearms charge he is facing out of Lowell District Court, Ryan said.

Jeff Wentworth, 47, of Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and improper storage of a firearm. He was released on $500 bail after his arraignment, Ryan said.

Marcus Basiliere, 26, of Derry, New Hampshire, was arrested on an open warrant out of New Hampshire for larceny. Basiliere was arraigned as a fugitive from justice and was held pending extradition. His next court date is May 1, Ryan said.

Wentworth and Snow are scheduled to return to court on May 21, Ryan said.

Pagan’s Motorcycle club prompts extra police presence in Branson

by: Ashley Eddy, Sydney Moran Posted: Feb 23, 2023 / 06:24 PM CST Updated: Feb 24, 2023 / 06:34 PM CST
UPDATE 2/24 at 4:00 p.m. – Law enforcement are confirming to Ozarksfirst they are hearing the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club is gathering in Branson this weekend.

A flyer was posted to our Facebook page on Friday from someone who believes to be a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. That flyer includes details about what the Pagan’s call a ‘state party’ in Branson. It indicates the the party doesn’t start until 5 p.m. Saturday.

Ozarksfirst reached out to Branson Police and Missouri State Highway Patrol again on Friday. Branson PD said they have no further comment. Sergeant Mike McClure said the information about the Pagan’s coming to town is consistent with what Highway Patrol has been hearing. McClure said there will be a few additional troopers in the area over the weekend.

Ozarksfirst also reached out to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Springfield Police if they heard about more clubs coming to Branson. Deputy Paige Rippee said there was nothing they could discuss at this time.

It is also confirmed the Medical Emergency Transport System in Joplin is on stand-by for the motorcycle club gathering.

BRANSON, Mo. – The Branson Police Department is putting extra plans in place as motorcycle club members are expected to head to the area this weekend.

OzarksFirst is told area law enforcement agencies are being called in to assist.

The local hospital system is also getting prepared for “any potential issues.”

Despite our requests, our team was not provided with any additional information on what the situation this weekend might consist of.

However, we received multiple statements from the organizations involved.

The Branson Police Department issued the following statement: “The Branson Police Department has become aware that a motorcycle club is planning a visit to the region. As is standard practice for region-wide events, the police department has reached out to area agency partners to help assist with traffic and general awareness. The Branson Police Department is thankful to have such great community partners who help keep our community safe.”

In a statement, The Missouri State Highway Patrol said: “The MSHP has been requested by Branson Police Chief to assist this weekend. We will provide a few additional troopers and modify our coverage in the area over the weekend. We aren’t predicting any problems. That is the extent of our involvement.”

CoxHealth Branson also issued the following statement: “We are aware of a large gathering scheduled to be in Branson this weekend. We have been in contact with law enforcement and will ensure that our teams are fully staffed in the event of any potential issues.”

Multiple people in Branson said they weren’t worried about any potential large gatherings.

We will stay with this story to bring you the latest.

Pagans Motorcycle Club member leads St. Marys officers on high-speed chase, police say

Chase ended when the motorcyclist gave up and surrendered, investigators say

2022, ST. MARYS, Ga.

A member of what’s been labeled as an outlaw motorcycle group is facing multiple criminal charges after police say he and another unidentified man led them on a motorcycle chase that began when an officer attempted to pull them over for street racing, according to the St. Marys Police Department.

The incident happened back on July 10, but the police dash-cam and body camera videos were just made public on Monday.

According to the arrest report, shortly before 1 a.m., a patrol officer with a K-9 was parked near the intersection of Highway 40 and Dandy Street when the officer’s speed radar picked up a vehicle coming up from behind that was traveling at 112 mph in a 45 mph zone. The report states the officer quickly realized it was two motorcyclists racing each other.


The officer notes in the report that both motorcycles were trying to out-distance each other.
The officer got behind both motorcycles with his emergency lights and siren and notes in the report that both motorcyclists accelerated even faster in an attempt to outrun him. According to the report, the officer was able to maintain a visual of the two motorcycles until one of them turned off on Dilworth Street. The officer said at that point, he could only see one motorcycle that was still traveling east on Osborn Road. The officer closed the distance on the eastbound motorcycle with speeds topping 115 mph, the report states.

The chase continued down Osborn Street to West Ashley Street when, according to the arrest report, the motorcyclist made a righthand turn onto Ashley and began to pull away, but travel recklessly.

The motorcyclist drove to the intersection of Ashley and Wheeler Street where, according to the officer, the chase ended when the motorcyclist gave up and surrendered.

The motorcyclist was identified as Daniel Hubbard of Woodstock, Alabama. Hubbard was charged with fleeing and eluding, which is a felony. He was also charged with four misdemeanors which include:

* Reckless driving
* Driving too fast for certain conditions
* Street racing
* Speeding
*
Hubbard was wearing a vest with patches that identify him as a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. A background check confirms his affiliation with the club, which is considered a gang by the FBI.

“If any of that goes to jail, you won’t get it back. Your vest,” an officer says during the traffic stop.
“That’s why he’s going to call somebody,” says another officer.

That somebody he called was his girlfriend, who is stationed at NAS Jacksonville, and her friend who is stationed at Mayport. Corporal Stokes, who was involved in the pursuit, is concerned about active duty sailors being affiliated with a man whose name just popped up on a national law enforcement database as a certified gang member.

“I don’t know if you guys would be interested, but I was just in a vehicle pursuit with a Pagan one percenter,” Stoakes says during a call. “He called his girlfriend and a friend to come and get the motorcycle and his colors and they are both Navy personnel. Right now they are actually in front of my patrol car getting his patches and his colors off his back. And he is a verified Pagan through NCIC and GCIC.”

The Pagans Motorcycle Club has been identified by the FBI as a biker gang more than 1,000 members strong whose territory is the Eastern Seaboard. The FBI says the gang is involved in violent organized crime, and according to both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the gang is at war with the Hell’s Angels biker gang.

Hubbard has bonded out of jail. His next court date is Aug. 19.

The motorcycle was registered to a friend whom police confirmed allowed Hubbard to use the motorcycle. Police have yet to identify the other motorcyclist involved in the chase.

This happened only 5 days ago. Police nailed 18 Pagans in Kansas City, Missouri...

"Pagan’s Motorcycle Club members arrested in law enforcement operation"

Posted: Aug 15, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Eighteen motorcycle club members and associates have been indicted by a federal grand jury in a series of armed assaults against rival motorcycle clubs.

On August 15, law enforcement conducted an operation that led to the arrests of 15 individuals with connections to the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club in Kansas City. Two of the defendants were already in custody. The operation also saw the execution of seven search warrants.

Pagan’s maintains chapters nationwide, with multiple active chapters in both Missouri and Kansas.

According to the indictment, Pagan’s is a violent criminal organization that engaged in racketeering and illegal drug trafficking. It also claims that Pagan’s protects its territory from rival clubs through violence and intimidation. These rivals include Hells Angels, Outlaws, El Forastero, Sons of Silence and more.

More than a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation that additionally seized more than 40 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armor and a marijuana growing operation.

The federal indictment, which was made public today, August 15, charges these individuals:

Christopher W. McGowen, also known as “Mac,” 40, of Platte City, Mo.

Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as “Straight Edge,” 48, and Jarrid A. Hammer, also known as “Hammer,” 45, both of Independence, Mo.

Jeremiah Z. Hahn, also known as “Pass Out,” 41, and John J. Hahn, also known as “Krazy Legs,” 46, both of Cameron, Mo.

Charles E. Smith, Jr., also known as “Crash,” 38, and James W. Prettyman, also known as “Rugby,” 42, both of Blue Springs, Mo.

Mark A. Cottman, also known as “One Shot,” 49, of Kansas City, Mo.

Bryan S. Fletcher, also known as “Fletch,” 48, and Mark A. Crump, also known as “Navajo,” 54, both of Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Jeffrey S. Hannah, also known as “Got-It,” 42, of Grain Valley, Mo.

Eric M. Forsyth, Jr., also known as “EZ,” 34, of Oak Grove, Mo.

Robert W. Miller, also known as “Flipper,” 46, and Brandon S. Hodge, also known as “Youngblood,” 25, both of Joplin, Mo.

Monty L. Mitchell, also known as “Smoke,” 58, of Windsor, Mo.

Alan M. Thornton, also known as “Bones,” 40, of Holden, Mo.

John Travis Fisher, also known as “T-Bone,” 51, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

Graham S. Gattis, also known as “Dro,” 40, of Panama City, Florida.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley K Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. The case was investigated by the FBI, the Independence Police Department, the Blue Springs Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

Today’s law enforcement operation included the FBI, the Independence Police Department, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Blue Springs Police Department, the Oak Grove Police Department, the Lee’s Summit Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and FBI national assets and field offices in St. Louis, Las Vegas, Knoxville.

The Pagans MC history — as per Federal Law Enforcement files and testimony.


[I copied the Pagans section for you, which I posted below] But here's the link if anyone would like to read about ALL the 1% Outlaw biker gangs; Hells Angels, etc.

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/147691NCJRS.pdf



The Pagans' organization, often referred to as the Pagan Nation, appears to be going through great changes. Authorities, in some states, say that the power once reli"hed by the Pagans in their state has diminished; however, other state authorities report that the Pagans are becoming more powerful than ever.
The Pagans have 17 chapters in the United States located in Delaware;
New Jersey; Virginia; West Virginia; Florida; New York; Maryland; Pennsylvania; North and South Carolina; and Ohio. Membership is estimated to be between 150 and 200.
The Pagans are different from the other major gangs in that their bottom rocker doesn't delineate the state of which holds their membership; instead, it reads "East Coast." Pagans claim the entire East Coast as their dominion.
Pagans no lonyer have clubhouses to carryon gang business; instead, meetings rot3te from members' houses to members' houses. This came about after the 1983 RICO investigation into the Pagans. Acase which was successful in prosecuting 20 plus members for assorted weapon, narcotic, and conspiracy charges.
Other organizational changes brought about from that RICO investigation was the change in the Pagans' national bylaws. Prior to the case, the bylaws said that the Pagans' national president was paid the same salary as that of the President of the United States. It also stated the mother chapter oversaw the organizational activities. Each member of the mother chapter had certain chapters (a region) which reported to him and likewise.
The byldws (prior to the RICO investigation) determined which chapters would sell dope, where they would sell it, and to whom they would sell it to. It also stated the main responsibility of the members of the mother chapter was to collect the dope money. Their bylaws wete the first piece of evidence presented in the RICO case.
In West Virginia in 1989, 35 members of the Pagans--including the national president and vice-president--were arrested for their involvement in a large-scale narcotics operation. Since that investigation, the Pagans in West Virginia have kept a low profile.
Authorities in Virginia had reported that the Pagans in their state are steadily becoming stronger. In 1987, only five members of the Pagans were active. In 1990, authorities reported 45 active members. However, in August of 1990, more than two dozen members wete arrested behind a major narcotic investigation. Just last year, several members were found to be involved in large-scale fraud--filing false claims for stolen cars and motorcycles. Hopefully, this investigation will a minimize their activity--for aw~ile.
In Pennsylvania, the Pagans have been severely hampered 'by successful large- scale investigations. Yet, other outlaw motorcycle gangs not previously targeted by law enforcement have started to take over the illegal operations once controlled by the Pagans.
PAGANS
-5-

Feds round up 18 Kansas City-area members of Pagan's Motorcycle Club following indictment
By: KSHB 41 News Staff

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — August 15, 2024, A federal grand jury returned an indictment against 18 Kansas City-area members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club, the the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri announced Thursday.
The members were indicted on a range of charges:
* assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
* attempt to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
* discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
* assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid racketeering.
Pagan's Motorcycle Club gang members charged
The feds allege the men are members of a local chapter of the national bike gang Pagan's Motorcycle Club.
Court documents indicate the men committed numerous crimes to intimidate and protect their territory from rival gangs.
The Pagan's rival gangs include the Hells Angels, Outlaws, El Forastero, Galloping Goose, Sons of Silence, and the Bandidos, according to court documents.
Below is a list of the 18 men who were charged for the alleged crimes.
* Christopher W. McGowen
* Arthur L. Reynolds III
* Jeremiah Z. Hahn
* Charles E. Smith
* John Travis Fisher
* Robert W. Miller
* James W. Prettyman
* Monty L. Mitchell
* Mark A. Cottman
* John J. John
* Graham S. Gattis
* Eric M. Forsyth
* Bryan S. Fletcher
* Jeffrey S. Hannah
* Brandon S. Hodge
* Alan M. Thornton
* Jarrid Hammer
* Mark A. Crump
Allegations
On May 30, 2022, McGowen and Hahn allegedly assaulted a rival gang member with a weapon.
They're both charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
McGowen, alongside Reynolds, Smith, Miller, Prettyman, Mitchell, Cottman, John Hahn, Gattis, Forsyth, Fletcher, Hannah and Hodge for allegedly assaulting another rival gang member on Sept. 17, 2022.
They're all charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
McGowen, Hahn, Smith, Fisher, Miller, Prettyman, Mitchell, and Thornton allegedly attempted to assault a rival gang member on Sept. 3, 2022.
They're charged with one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
On Sept. 17, 2022, prosecutors allege McGowen, Reynolds, Smith, Miller, Prettyman, Mitchell, Cottman, John Hahn, Gattis, Forsyth, Fletcher, Hannah and Hodge fired a gun during an incident with a rival gang.
They're charged with one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Cottman, Hammer and Crump allegedly seriously injured a rival on July 20, 2023.
They're charged with one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering.
—

The Pagans never went abroad though it's the only big club even Vagos MC went to Mexico, Europe and Australia.

I always found that unusual. They are certainly large enough to open some international chapters.
I wonder what their rationale is for staying in the US.

Yes, I agree. Tell you the truth Lou, until I recently read some of these articles that shows the Pagans now operating all across the U.S., I always thought they were strictly an east coast club.

So I'm even surprised about that big expansion

Lack of sophistication? Late to the party? Can anyone point to one single intelligent criminal enterprise these guys had, ever? There were only so many hardcore clubs to gobble up.

If you were in this club, would you think you were legally equipped to deal with whatever ramifications going international might bring? I'm not trying to talk shit but these are the same dudes who went to publicly attack the HA and got stuck in the fucking doorway, right?

And some have a tattoo to commemorate that. I mean...

Investigation into man with ties to Pagan motorcycle gang leads to drug bust in Westmoreland County
By Madeline BartosUpdated on: October 8, 2024 / 7:43 PM EDT

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) — An investigation into a man with ties to the Pagan motorcycle gang led to a drug bust and multiple arrests in Westmoreland County, prosecutors said.

Bill Rana, who was living at Valley Royal Court on Fifth Avenue in New Kensington, was the target of an investigation by New Kensington police and the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force, the district attorney's office said. 

Rana was one of 30 Pagan Motorcycle Club members and associates who were charged with drug trafficking in 2020. Federal prosecutors described Rana as a "fully patched" member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club and a sergeant of arms for the Pittsburgh chapter. 

While investigating Rana, who was out on federal parole, the district attorney's office said they seized nine ounces of cocaine, which has a street value of about $15,000. They also allegedly found crack cocaine, crystal meth, heroin and steroids as well as four guns Rana isn't allowed to own.
Authorities arrested Marc Farabaugh and Stephanie Miller after they were found in Rana's apartment. The district attorney's office said Rana's girlfriend Ciera Siegworth was also arrested Friday on a warrant out of Allegheny County. 

Rana, Farabaugh, Siegworth and Miller are facing drug-related charges. All four are in the Westmoreland County Jail on a monetary bail. 
In the 2020 case, the Department of Justice said the Pagan Motorcycle Club used violence to control cocaine, heroin and meth trafficking in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Erie, Fayette and Washington counties. Prosecutors said members held weekly meetings called "church" and routinely threw large parties at their McKees Rocks Clubhouse.

National Pagans Motorcycle Club President is One of 55 Arrested

A man from Myersville, Maryland, considered to be the President of the National Pagans Motorcycle Club, has been accused of leading the supposedly wide-spread outlaw biker gang in extortion, robbery, kidnapping, plotting to commit murder, weapons violations, and drug dealing, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Based on a Baltimore Sun report, more than 50 members and associates of the alleged gang are accused of conspiracy to kill and extort rival bikers in order to establish themselves as the top gang of bikers in the area. Those accused are reported to be in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida.

According to the article, within the 44-count, 83-page indictment document against those arrested, it is stated: “The PMC and its existing support clubs unlawfully threatened and intimidated people who wanted to start a motorcycle club in the PMC territory.” The article also mentioned that federal prosecutors are in search of holding the alleged leaders, including the Maryland man, and 20 others, without bail.

Maryland residents don’t hear about criminal cases quite like this one on a normal basis. It is interesting that prosecutors apparently did not know whether the President of the National Pagans Motorcycle Club had a criminal defense attorney or not. Although the charges against this man and many others seem insurmountable at a quick glance, all citizens arrested for a crime are innocent until proven guilty. Considering that so many people were arrested, it is possible that false accusations were made, leading to charges being brought against those that were not involved with the related crimes whatsoever.

NY, was this bob francis that was arrested?
i dont see any names in write up is all.

as to why the club stayed in u.s. maybe they thought as bigger clubs went international like outlaws, HA, bandidos etc they could move into abandoned and/or neglected rackets and territory.

Good question, Vito. I don't know. I just pulled it off the net. I think it may have been posted by a lawyer or law firm who represented some of them.

That makes sense. As you said, maybe The Pagans believed that would allow them to grab a larger piece of the U.S. pie.

Sixteen Hells Angels & Red Devils Motorcycle Gang Members Face Charges Related to Violent Racketeering Enterprise
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs

An indictment was unsealed in the Eastern District of North Carolina charging 16 members of two outlaw motorcycle gangs — the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) and the Red Devils Motorcycle Club (RDMC) — for their alleged roles in a criminal enterprise engaging in violent criminal activity in and around Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina. The RDMC is the main support club nationwide for the HAMC.

Five of the defendants are charged with murder in aid of racketeering for allegedly killing a member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (PMC), a rival gang, on Jan. 1, 2023, in Raleigh. Two additional defendants are charged with accessory after the fact for their alleged actions following that murder.
Eight defendants are charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering for their alleged roles in a July 22, 2023, violent assault of PMC members in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen restaurant in Wade, North Carolina.

And one defendant is charged with obstruction for allegedly attempting to dissuade a witness from assisting the criminal investigation of this case.
“According to the indictment, these defendants were leaders, organizers, and members of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club and committed multiple crimes to advance their positions in this violent gang,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The gang’s alleged violent acts included the murder of a rival gang member on a public street, and the assault and attempted murder of other rival gang members in a restaurant parking lot. This indictment demonstrates that, along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, the Criminal Division is committed to holding accountable those responsible for acts of violence that terrorize local communities.”
“Two years ago we launched a Violent Crime Action Plan to partner with local law enforcement to identify the individuals and groups driving violence in North Carolina, especially criminal enterprises that support and encourage violence by their members,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “We’ll keep pursuing cases like this one, charging violent crimes in aid of racketeering, to expose patterns of violence and hold gang members and those who enable them accountable.”

“Outlaw motorcycle gangs are notorious for lawless and violent behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte Field Division. “These criminal organizations are allegedly responsible for a long list of illegal activities, including firearms trafficking, assault, and homicide, and operate with absolutely no regard for the safety of law enforcement or the community. ATF is proud to stand with our law enforcement partners and be part of an effort to disrupt and disband such a violent and dangerous network.”

“I am proud to stand with my federal, state, and local partners in investigating and disrupting violent organizations which demonstrate a blatant disregard for life and will pursue any method to advance their criminal enterprise in our great city,” said Chief Estella Patterson of the Raleigh Police Department. “The Raleigh Police Department and our community will not tolerate destructive behavior and will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to identify those responsible to ensure they are held accountable. I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Michael Easley and his team for their continued dedication and steadfast commitment to public safety. I also thank the ATF, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for their strong partnership in these cases.”

“Operation Broken Halo has been an ongoing investigation with the Fayetteville Police Department and the ATF into an alleged criminal enterprise connected to an outlaw motorcycle gang,” said Chief Kemberle Braden of the Fayetteville Police Department. “Through collaboration and partnership with the ATF and other supporting agencies, we were able to successfully bring charges against numerous members of this outlaw motorcycle gang and their supporting clubs. The Fayetteville Police Department remains committed to our partnership with federal, state, and local agencies to remove violent criminals from our community.”

“I want to make it clear: violent activity is not tolerated in Cumberland County,” said Sheriff Ennis W. Wright of the Cumberland County Sherriff’s Office. “The Sheriff's Office is 100% committed to maintaining a safe and peaceful community. We thoroughly investigate all tips, and it’s vital for the community to continue to report what they see because we cannot do it alone. We are grateful for our partnerships with the community, the Justice Department, and federal and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we do and will continue to make a difference.”

Most of the charges are being brought under the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR) statute, which makes it illegal to commit certain violent crimes for the purpose of joining, maintaining one’s position with, or moving up in rank within the enterprise. The violent crimes included in this statute include murder, kidnapping, maiming, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and threatening to commit a crime of violence.

The indictment alleges that all 16 defendants are members or associates of the HAMC, a violent outlaw motorcycle group that allegedly uses violence, threats, and intimidation to carry out its perceived mission and enforce its rules. According to the indictment, RDMC members are subservient to the HAMC and provide support by acting as a source of recruitment for the HAMC and carrying out violent acts to further the HAMC’s interests.
The indictment alleges that HAMC members are under a standing order to attack, injure, and kill members of the PMC. The indictment also alleges that HAMC members commonly commit physical assaults, including murder, threats to injure, and intimidation to keep witnesses to their criminal conduct silent.

The indictment charges the following offenses:
Vidaul Rashaad Reed, 31, also known as Hootie, Anthony Edward Cheever, 34, also known as Rowdy, David William Stephens, 26, also known as 007, Martinus Jermaine Starks, 43, also known as Tee, and Tyler Scott Grissom, 31, also known as Snow, are all allegedly members of the RDMC and are each charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharge of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and, in doing so, causing death related to the alleged murder of a member of the PMC on Jan. 1, 2023. Murder in aid of racketeering carries a mandatory life sentence, if convicted.

Christopher Dylan Manor, 28, and Robert Scott Brown, 62, are both charged with accessory after the fact to the Jan. 1, 2023, murder. As alleged, Manor was a member of the RDMC at the time of the alleged offense and Brown is a member of the HAMC. Each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, if convicted.

Jason Lee Hathaway, 47, Fred Joseph Prosperi, 42, also known as Freddy and Snow Boy, William Scott Gardner, 33, also known as Big Will, Terry Lewis Akins Jr., 51, J.R. Nevarez Darr, 31, Darrell Dewayne Strickland Jr., 26, William Franklin Beasley, 64, and David Lee Woodall, 45, are charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering related to the alleged attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon of members of the PMC on July 22, 2023, in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen restaurant in Wade, North Carolina. They were all allegedly members of the HAMC at the time of the offense. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty 30 years in prison.

Jonathan Michael Robarge, 40, is charged with tampering with a witness, victim or informant by harassment. Robarge allegedly has ties to both the HAMC and the RDMC. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty three years in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The ATF, Raleigh and Fayetteville Police Departments, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein and Deputy Chief Kelly Pearson of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Sandling and Robert Dodson for the Eastern District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.

This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, 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.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.