These are violent criminals who belong to some of the most sinister motorcycle gangs in this country, Assumpico said in a statement. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. State Police raided the headquarters of the Pagan Motorcycle Club in Everett and confiscated 4 unlawful guns and arrested 3 men. Col. Ann C. Assumpico, the superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, announced the arrests Wednesday, saying that the bust is believed to be the single largest takedown in the Rhode Island State Police history. cartel The 12-month investigation was dubbedOperation Patched Out and included assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, the FBI andthe federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, among other agencies. The victim was struck once in the lower left side of his Massachusetts residents still wanted by authorities includeRobert Gill, of Blackstone; Robert Minior, of Milford; and Joejihao Qian, of Norwood. He was released on $500 bail after his arraignment, Ryan said. The three people arrested were arraigned in Malden District Court on Monday. Three Escalating tension and an increased risk of violence in recent weeks led to the decision to conduct the raids Wednesday, according to Rhode Island State PoliceLt. Philadelphia in the commission of a felony. The Indictments are the result of this long-term investigation, including court-authorized wiretaps on the cell phones of key members of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. From: "Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang" by Ken Croke withDave Wedge. 'Dream come true':Weymouth drama instructor stars in comic romp 'Something Rotten! The raids were conducted without incident. Paganism Today. Club were spotted across the street at the Pilot Travel Center. A resident of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. According to U.S. Attorney Brady, the Indictments are a part of an ongoing investigation into members and associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club (PMC or Pagans) operating in and around western Pennsylvania engaging in illegal activity, including federal violations of drug and firearm laws. Drug Gangs e live, thanks to the coronavirus, in the age of the Zoom interview. A tactical squad of state troopers . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The arrests were made following a series of pre-dawn raids conducted by authorities. People But the operation had also taken a toll on his family life. (State Police photo). 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. SOURCE: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest of southern Virginia, the sheriff's office said. The Pagans are one of the most prominent outlaw motorcycle gangs in the eastern United States. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Nor does he disclose where he lives or where he is speaking from today. But some have since been released and the gang is far from finished. Also called The Pagans, they were mostly a peaceful MC, non-violent in its outcome. in Bellingham; 7 Old Mendon Road in Blackstone; 30 Old Worcester Road in Charlton; and196 West St. in Milford. The Indictment also charges Rana, Evans, James, P. Bonanno, and Stockhausen with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, also between January and November of 2020. I always keep an eye out, but Im not living my life looking over my shoulder.. #PAGANSMC #PAGANS #MOTORCYCLECLUB .Can't we all just get along lol? He earned the nickname Slam after he forcefully subdued a man during a brawl bar. There seem to be a number of active biker gangs in the Northeast, including the Outlaws, Mongols, Pagans and Hells Angels, but are does anyone know if they are active in Massachusetts? He now works as a security consultant. Other assisting agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide, Baldwin Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department and West Deer Township Police Department. Massachusetts residents arrested in the raid includedRobert Hamilton, of Franklin; Lisa Kakazu, of Bellingham; Marc Bunnell, of Blackstone; and Jason Oliver, of Fall River. As a part of his plea deal, the judge ordered John to cut off all contacts from his victims and stay off social media. across the street with binoculars. Over 25 years, he took part in more than a thousand undercover operations including gang, drug and firearms trafficking cases. American (Traditional) $$ (508) 679-5010. Every day I woke up, I wondered what sort of shit was going to happen. While undercover in the club, all of his answers needed to be right, all of his actions above suspicion. 4. He was among 49 people arrested, several of whom are Massachusetts residents. The defendants are alleged to have conspired to distribute controlled substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Pagans are "engaged in criminal activities such as arson, assault, bombing, extortion and murder," states the DOJ in a 2021 report on outlaw motorcycle gangs. Random Both victims were members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club out When first founded they consisted of only 13 members. A locked padlock He survived the shooting and was released from the University of Virginia Blue Wave Loses Ground In Working Class Massachusetts Enclave, Pagan's MC Has Headquarters Shuttered In Fall River - The Gangster Report Philadelphia Random South Sports Uncategorized Usergen Video West Coast Blue Wave Loses Ground In Working Class Massachusetts Enclave, Pagan's MC Has Headquarters Shuttered In Fall River An investigator said four to five gunshots were fired. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. In general, when we say "Pagan" today, we're referring to someone who follows a spiritual path that is rooted in nature, the cycles of the season, and astronomical markers. The rider in front wiped out as he attempted to escape the ambush, skidding his The daring operation paid off with more than 20 Pagans arrested on charges including racketeering, murder conspiracy, extortion, drug trafficking, assault and weapons violations, leading to combined prison sentences of more than a hundred years. You have to be a peer, you have to appear to be loyal because the brotherhood within this organisation is more important than your family or anything else. He scrambled to dress appropriately, drive to a restaurant and play it cool. So what am I going to do to stop it? Theres a skill that goes to it, a coordination, but theres also dumb luck. Mob Hits [Wednesdays] arrests send a clear and convincing message: we will not allow motorcycle gangs and other criminals to sell guns and drugs on our streets and commit violent crimes in our communities.. Avideo announcement regarding this case can be found here: https://youtu.be/iWAof7-KgLA. also suspected of opening fire, evidence showed. Marcus Basiliere, 26, of Derry, New Hampshire, was arrested on an open warrant out of New Hampshire for larceny. This stuff has been happening for decades and decades. Regions The leader of the Massachusetts Pagans motorcycle gang was among 49 people arrested this week following a year-long investigation by Rhode Island authorities that resulted in the seizure of. Regions Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of each defendant. Rarely seeing his family, he had to adapt to a volatile, unpredictable lifestyle where he might be ordered to commit violence or even kill at any moment. An application will be made to have the Victorian man extradited back to South Australia for a court appearance at Adelaide Magistrates Court on 27 June with the other four men who have been bailed.. The Pagan's have opened up shop on two new chapters in the Scranton-Wilks-Barre area, part of the east coast expansion effort dubbed the "Blue Wave Initiative," when he enacted it three years ago upon taking power as national president. International One thing led to another, as he puts it, and he was on the case. People 6 hours ago Scott Burnstein . Then came a chance encounter with an associate of the Pagans. "They are extremely dangerous. Interview During the course of the investigation, which began in August of 2018, law enforcement received information pertaining to the suspected illegal activities of Bill Rana, aka "Pittsburgh Billy", Eric Armes aka "Knuckles", Jason Evans aka "Shahid", and Patrick Rizzo, who have all been identified as suspected members or associates of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, as well as Phillip Bonanno, who has been identified as a suspected member of an Ohio Chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, and others. Case Files QUINCYSlam enjoyed a meteoricrise through the ranks of the Pagans, the secretiveoutlaw motorcycle gang that prided itself on having neverbeen infiltrated by law enforcement. Most of the raids were conducted at Rhode Island addresses, but police received search warrants for and raided the following properties in Massachusetts:111 Pulaski Blvd. Police received a search warrant and raided the Pagan Motorcycle Club building on Orient Avenue at about 10:15 p.m., Friday. It was a stressful way to live and my brain was working overtime., Croke adds via Zoom: Theres no planning this out, theres no script, there is no Oh, today Im going to do this. I can honestly tell you that never did a day go according to plan. prospect were lying in wait after two members of the rival Pagan's Motorcycle They put two contracts out on me shortly after the case and they were investigated, says Croke, a retired assistant director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). I surely have something wrong but it matters not, all arrested. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Roughly 90 minutes later, as the two Pagan's pulled into the Croke began his career in 1990 in Los Angeles, where he infiltrated street gangs and busted drug and gun rings. As to the conspiracy count involving 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one kilogram or more of heroin, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, or both. to maliciously wound, gang participation in a criminal act and use of a firearm According to this Indictment, the above-named defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance between January and November of 2020. The investigation also revealed what Rhode Island State Police called extensive evidence of other criminal activity, including large-scale gun and drug trafficking; widespread theft and sale of stolen ATVs, lawn tractors, snow blowers and other equipment; and fraudulent mortgage and bank activity. One leader was charged with more than 230 counts, according to . Exclusive Uncategorized Chicago The third Indictment contains two counts and names the following twelve individuals as defendants: According to this Indictment, Kushik, Hairston, Wofford, Zilka, Walker, Camacho, Collins, and Taranto conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance between August and November of 2020. But when a tip about criminal motorcycle gangs came in to the Boston ATF field office in 2008, the experienced Croke was brought in to check out sources and information. The 12-month investigation was dubbedOperation Patched Out and included assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, the FBI andthe federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, among other agencies. said both groups were passing through the area following an unidentified Word soon went out that there was. Prior to the shooting, which took place shortly before 3 Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government. That cant happen and so how am I going to get out of that? Would they want to do harm to me? Official websites use .gov One of two men accused of opening fire is Anthony Milan, 28, Would I be faced with a pile of coke and a choice? Theres certain things that I will have to stop. Court on Thursday in an attempt to get a bond set. . Croke became a member of the club's Long Island chapter, whose headquarters was a small tattoo parlor in the North Shore hamlet of Rocky Point. The club was on its way back from a gathering in Delaware. Jason Oliver from Fall River was identified as the leader of the Massachusetts Pagans biker gang, according to Rhode Island State Police. We live, thanks to the coronavirus, in the age of the Zoom interview. According to this Indictment, Rana, Armes, C. Bonanno, P. Bonanno, and Quarture conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance between January and November of 2020. They are definitely a very violent organised crime syndicate.. Police also uncovered an alleged illegal cash bar operating in the building, they said. All. Rhode Island State Police investigators intercepted thousands of phone calls and text messages through electronic surveillance and court-ordered wiretaps through the investigation. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A veteran of more than 1,000 undercover operations during his career with the ATF, Crokesaid the toughest part of the Pagan investigation was keeping his cover story straight, because they would constantly question him on it. The memoir describes how Croke created a fake identity, won the bikers confidence, secretly recorded their meetings, witnessed their violent crimes and even spent several days in jail on a gun arrest. They could. Documentary evidence shown Thursday in Augusta County Circuit Court. Wedge and Crokenhad a passing acquaintance from playing pickup hockey together. The Pagans Motorcycle Club was founded in 1959 by Lou Dobkin in Prince George's County which is located in Maryland, USA. Sports And, he had to face opposition within the ranks of law enforcement who wanted to shut down the operation. This group brings in dirty money through drug trafficking, the bulk of which is methamphetamine acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. And they operate according to a pack mentality, he said. Also, many people identify as Pagan because they are polytheists-they honor more than just one god . Interview Another was seen holding an iPad in their ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. An intermediary set up a meeting with Wedge, a Brockton native whose five earlier books with Casey Sherman included "Hunting Whitey: The Inside Story of the Capture and Killing of America's Most Wanted Crime Boss." Every day living with those guys was a mindfuck.. Dave Wedge, a journalist who co-authored the book, adds in the same Zoom call:. He was convicted of witness tampering and sentenced to four years of probation in 2019. other, the second rider was knocked off his motorcycle as it was still moving. News 2023 www.patriotledger.com. "They were well-orchestrated in what they did and they were good at it," Croke said. Over two years his cover was never blown, though some members were suspicious of his true motivations. 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 writes: Every day living with those guys was a mindfuck, especially when I was a prospect [a prospective member]. The arrests were made following a series of pre-dawn raids conducted by authorities. "Riding with Evil" is published by William Morrow and is on sale now. He was Ken Croke, a 20-year veteran of thefederal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearmsand Explosives who was working on buildinga criminal case against members of the club. In court Thursday, Milan, who has no prior felonies, was This will be the sentiment after people start watching this I bet you. Theres legally things that I could not do and I would have to stop it. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). "Through joint, collaborative investigations and robust partnerships, we will continue to target the leadership of these organizations and bring them to justice for the harm caused by their criminal actions.". Theres a lot of cases that continue to come out in New York, Massachusetts and other jurisdictions where some of the people that were involved in the case Ken did may have had links. "They read them to try to detect what law enforcement does. Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 17 South Park Row, Room A330 Leader of Massachusetts Pagans biker gang among 49 arrested in raid . Hear, hear::Boston crimes make for great storytelling in new podcast. East Coast Featured Mafia Mafia Insider Members Only . testimony. Cops have arrested two Hells Angels members and another biker-gang tough suspected in the assassination of a rival Pagans Motorcycle Club leader, police sources said. When Croke went to the toilets, the man followed him to reveal that he had brought a bomb. African-American "I'm amazed by the work he did. Police will allege the five men associated together at the Adelaide Airport on Sunday 22 April, prior to boarding an overseas flight. "The minute you do anything to one of them, you do it to all of them," Croke said. Sharp-dressed man:Mark Rylance is a perfect fit in mobster movie 'The Outfit', Book Smart:4 new novels you won't want to put down. What sort of dumb shit would they ask me to do? "My brain was working on overdrive balancing the double- and triple-lives I was leading. Col. Ann C. Assumpico, the superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, announced the arrests Wednesday, saying that the bust is believed to be the single largest takedown in the Rhode Island State Police history. They have a resident expert now that knows this gang better than anyone., Its the tip of the iceberg: shining a light on the horror of wrongful convictions, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Riding with Evil: Every day I woke up, I wondered what sort of shit was going to happen.. #PAGANSMC #PAGANS #MOTORCYCLECLUB .Cant we all just get along lol? Ken Croke does not want to be on camera so the words Kens iPhone XR appear on a black background instead. Slowly, as they began to accept more and more members in the '60s, they became more like a traditional outlaw MC. In two years, Slam went from hang-around to full member to leadership in the club. Seven suspects were arrested at the scene. Related | Hells Angels MC members charged with violence Mafia Insider In New Jersey, Pagans membership which has always been strong in South Jersey has grown at an alarming rate in recent years, with approximately 200 members in 17 chapters. Movies into different clothing, one of the Hells Angels kept close tabs on the Pagan's They decided to start their relationship over and begin dating again. a.m., after the two Pagan's were seen at the travel center, one of the Detroit I threw glancing blows off the side of his head and shoulder, but really I was punching the cement. The comments are g. Mafia Leader of Massachusetts Pagans biker gang among 49 arrested in raid that netted drugs and 53 guns. ', Asked if he thought members of the Pagans would read the book, Croke replied, "I would be surprised if they don't.". Theres also morally things: theyre a white supremacist group and I was not going to participate in a lot of their white supremacy activities.. You have to go along with these things knowing that at any moment it could be too far and there are limits. But not this time. These gang members are not recreational bikers organizing local charities. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. :'Deep Water,' 'Fresh,' 'Turning Red,' 'Master,' 'Adam Project'. cartel Midwest Fax:814-533-4545. The Indictment further alleges that on or about October 21, 2020, Patrick Rizzo, a convicted felon, who is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm, was found to be in possession of a loaded Taurus Judge .45 LC/410 pistol. The Pagan's and the Hells Angels have a long-standing rivalry. THIS Pagan thing in Rhode Island just seems like a kick in the works due to their obvious misunderstanding of the law for a rocket launcher. Lock Seized were 34 firearms and a homemade bomb. Croke managed to turn it in to law enforcement while convincing the gang that it had been used to blow up a boat. Croke, a Boston native who was based in Southeastern Massachusetts during the investigation, wrote about his experiences in the new book "Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang," written with New York Times bestselling author Dave Wedge. Most of the raids were conducted at Rhode Island addresses, but police received search warrants for and raided the following properties in Massachusetts:111 Pulaski Blvd. Croke remained with the ATF for several years after the investigation, retiring as an assistant director of the agency. Seven bikers were injured after a brawl broke out between rival motorcycle clubs in Massachusetts, near the Rhode Island border. Another night, at a Pagan dive bar, Croke saw members of the gang attack a man who had shown disrespect. In addition to the 53 illegal guns that were seized, authorities also discovered large quantities of marijuana, crack, cocaine and heroin, Rhode Island State Police said. East Coast The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. Would I have to jump into a barroom brawl? Documentary The investigation remains ongoing. West Coast, Cutting To The Heart Of The Matter: Kentucky Pagans MC Member Kutter Lindner Killed In Attempt To Take Fake Pagans Rocker & Cut, Waiting For The Perfect Time: How The Hells Angels Came To Michigan & Where They Are Looking To Expand, Mob Scene: Streets Of Chicago Buzzing With Feelings, Opinions, Outrage Over Jimmy I Informant Revelation, The Company You Keep (Cicero Edition): Alleged New Chicago Mafia Chief Louie Rainone Has A Pal Joey, Burnstein Op-Ed: Reports Of Chicago Mob Legend Jimmy Is Role As Informant Missing Context, Rewarding FBI For Hypocrisy, Bad Faith. As the Pagan's pulled up to their room, one following the Bikers Skip or stream? New York They call them civilians and that kind of thing. Wedge, 51, whose previous books include Hunting Whitey and The Last Days of John Lennon, reflects from Boston: The work Ken did reverberates today. A year-long investigation of biker gangs in Rhode Island led to the arrests of at least 49 people and the seizure of 53 illegal guns. But not this time. in Bellingham; 7 Old Mendon Road in Blackstone; 30 Old Worcester Road in Charlton; and196 West St. in Milford. All rights reserved (About Us). A nighttime raid on the Pagan Motorcycle Club in Everett ended with three men arrested and two arraigned Monday on weapons charges, according to authorities. Some people call this "earth-based religion.". Members Only He was also handed a suspended jail sentence of 364 days. Movies McGuire, the alleged leader of the Pagans Motorcycle Club chapter in Rhode Island, has returned to the Adult Correctional Institutions for 45 days after admitting Monday failing to keep the peace . Twenty Pagans were taken into custody on charges including racketeering, drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. I juggled lie after lie to Roadblock, J.R., Izzo, and the others. I ran through strategic scenarios in my head at all hours, concocting solutions to keep me safe, to appease ATF supervisors, and to nail down evidence to support criminal charges for the RICO (the federal Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act) case we were building.". Basiliere was arraigned as a fugitive from justice and was held pending extradition. The Indictment further alleges that Peluso, Botta and Snelsire also conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, also between January and November 2020. In addition to the PMC insignia, members of the PMC wear a diamond patch with "1%" inscribed inside, which denotes their claim to be among the one percent of motorcycle riders who are not law abiding. ", "The members and associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club facing charges today had a complete disregard for the law and the safety of the communities they operate in," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. Staunton, Virginia (October 4, 2018) BTN During the early That doesnt really seem to be the case with the Pagans. You just go there one day and its like, OK, this is whats going to happen, this is what were going to do, and the next thing you know, youre off on this completely different tangent doing something totally different.. An hour and a half later, the Pagan's went to the Hometown As to the conspiracy counts involving 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the law provides for a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, or both. New video shows bar attack allegedly at the hand of Pagans Motorcycle Club members direction as he presumably filmed them, motel surveillance video showed. They truly fly under the radar of a lot of society and law enforcement.". Today, the Pagans are known as one of the most badass motorcycle clubs with strict rules. Im under the umbrella of ATF: they are constantly monitoring and checking and enquiring and following through on any threats or information related to threats. When we got to that house, if this person was there, we were going to have to come out of role and stop it, which would have ended the investigation.. An indictment is an accusation. bike to the ground. Part of the proceeds from these crimes would be paid to the Pagans headquarters, known as the "mother club.". The investigation focused on two gangs, The Pagans and Kryptmen, whose members were allegedly involved in gun and drug trafficking and other criminal activity, officials said.
