Another night, at a Pagan dive bar, Croke saw members of the gang attack a man who had shown disrespect. Once the case wrapped, Croke was required by ATF to see a psychiatrist to make sure had not gone to the dark side or become sympathetic to the Pagans causes or actions. Mob Hits Marcus Basiliere, 26, of Derry, New Hampshire, was arrested on an open warrant out of New Hampshire for larceny. News 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. Following the shooting, Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith 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. Members Only There were about a dozen club members wearing Pagan patches and insignia and multiple other people in the clubhouse at the time, they said. Basiliere was arraigned as a fugitive from justice and was held pending extradition. The related Indictments are the result of an investigation that began in August of 2018, and ultimately led to a Title III wire investigation with intercepted communications over several telephones from August 2020 through November 2020. After gaining a swelling mass of new members which put the Pagans on the path to evolve into an outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG). Related | Hells Angels MC members charged with violence ", "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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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 53 illegal guns as well as large quantities of heroin and other drugs, according to officials. The arrested men, a 31-year-old from Ingle Farm, a 31-year-old man from Walkley Heights, a 25-year-old man from Lightsview, 39-year-old man from Northgate and a 38-year-old man from Keilor Downs in Victoria, have all been charged with being present with two or more criminal organization participants. "The members and associates of the Pagan's 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. The PMC members routinely hold "church", a term used to describe their weekly meetings, on Thursdays. Featured Random 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. The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide, Insane Throttle Support Club Become a member Now, Insane Throttle/Motorcycle Madhouse Radio YouTube and Audio Disclaimer, Meet the Insane Throttle Contributing Columnist James Hollywood Macecari, Motorcycle Clubs Riding Clubs and Associations Near Me Index & Listings, Our Policies here at Insane Throttle Publications. (Rhode Island State Police). Sports 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). They are definitely a very violent organised crime syndicate.. in Bellingham; 7 Old Mendon Road in Blackstone; 30 Old Worcester Road in Charlton; and196 West St. in Milford. "The minute you do anything to one of them, you do it to all of them," Croke said. According to the Department of Justice, the PMC is a violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang whose membership distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana and other illegal drugs. Both victims were members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club out The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. #PAGANSMC #PAGANS #MOTORCYCLECLUB .Can't we all just get along lol? East Coast 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 'Dream come true':Weymouth drama instructor stars in comic romp 'Something Rotten! on Off the wires: The leader of the Massachusetts Pagans motorcycle club was among 49 people arrested this week following a year-long investigation- Five bikers have been arrested after they allegedly associated together in public at Adelaide Airport. One leader was charged with more than 230 counts, according to . Chicago evidence shown Thursday in Augusta County Circuit Court. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Documentary Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government. But are there moral dilemmas around how far to go to preserve the cover story? He's got the beat:Foxboro's Chris Sullivan finds groove with Freestyle Love Supreme, Heroines of history:Weymouth author publishes 'Fight Like a Girl'. A locked padlock Pagans Motorcycle Club Founding / Pagans MC History The Pagans Motorcycle Club was founded in 1959 by Lou Dobkin in Prince George's County which is located in Maryland . Police will allege the five men associated together at the Adelaide Airport on Sunday 22 April, prior to boarding an overseas flight. Wedge, 51, whose previous books include Hunting Whitey and The Last Days of John Lennon, reflects from Boston: The work Ken did reverberates today. Movies Movies I juggled lie after lie to Roadblock, J.R., Izzo, and the others. As the Pagan's pulled up to their room, one following the 4. Slowly, as they began to accept more and more members in the '60s, they became more like a traditional outlaw MC. One of the Pagan's was shot, the other knocked off his motorcycle 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. Police received a search warrant and raided the Pagan Motorcycle Club building on Orient Avenue at about 10:15 p.m., Friday. "Through joint, collaborative investigations and robust partnerships, we will continue to target the leadership . 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. Who knows what goes thru peoples brain. 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 53 illegal guns as well as large quantities of heroin and other drugs, according to officials. Croke has good reason to be discreet. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, 30 Members and Associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club Facing Federal Charges, Prolific Drug Trafficking Organization Dismantled, Coraopolis Man Indicted in Western Pennsylvania and in the District of Columbia on Drug Charges, Indictment Charges Alleged Darknet Marketplace Fentanyl Dealer, 30 Members and Associates of The Pagans Motorcycle Club Facing Federal Charges. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Pagan's and the Hells Angels have a long-standing rivalry. The 56-year-old is online to talk about his new book, Riding with Evil, which chronicles how he became the first federal agent to go undercover and infiltrate the Pagan Motorcycle Club, a white supremacist gang. cartel One thing led to another, as he puts it, and he was on the case. 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. Featured Drug Gangs An investigator said four to five gunshots were fired. SOURCE: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Midwest A lock ( 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.. 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. The first Indictment contains two conspiracy counts and one firearm possession count, and names the following nine individuals as defendants: Phillip Bonanno, 54, of New Philadelphia, OH, Dominic Quarture, 52, of Washington, PA. Exclusive Three 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. I threw glancing blows off the side of his head and shoulder, but really I was punching the cement. All rights reserved. Word soon went out that there was. This will be the sentiment after people start watching this I bet you. The beating victim was not seriously injured. Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 17 South Park Row, Room A330
All. Leader of Massachusetts Pagans biker gang among 49 arrested in raid that netted drugs and 53 guns. My hand got bloodied up pretty good. When Hogman lifted his huge leg to stomp on the mans head, which could have broken his neck, Croke swung his own leg in the way. This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. When Croke went to the toilets, the man followed him to reveal that he had brought a bomb. The arrests were made following a series of pre-dawn raids conducted by authorities. Jacob Blair, 25, is also charged in 700 Grant Street, Suite 4000
PITTSBURGH, PA A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has issued three separate, but related, Indictments, charging 30 residents of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio with narcotics trafficking and firearm possession, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. testimony. The investigation, which was wide-spread, also resulted in identifying large-scale suppliers of narcotics not only to members and associates of the Pagans, but to local drug traffickers and suppliers within the Greater Pittsburgh Region. of southern Virginia, the sheriff's office said. A resident of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Theres certain things that I will have to stop. They werent burning crosses, but the racism many spewed was persistent, blatant, and strong, he writes. American (Traditional) $$ (508) 679-5010. There was also the potential for a mishap during the club's long motorcycle runs, his customized Harley-Davidson Electra Glide just a couple of feet away from the bike in front of him at speeds of 110 mph. This group brings in dirty money through drug trafficking, the bulk of which is methamphetamine acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. Would I be faced with a pile of coke and a choice? Uncategorized The Pagans Motorcycle Club was founded in 1959 by Lou Dobkin in Prince George's County which is located in Maryland, USA. 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. They could. in the commission of a felony. The second Indictment contains two counts and names the following nine individuals as defendants: Anthony Peluso, 38, of Hampton Township, PA, Marissa Botta, 28, of Hampton Township, PA. Official websites use .gov OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. back. "They use intimidation, threats of violence to get what they want.". "These gang members are not recreational bikers organizing local charities. Croke is now a security consultant for a global corporation. Mafia The massive fight involved about 50 bikers in Fall River, Mass.,. said both groups were passing through the area following an unidentified 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. According to information provided to the court, the three Indictments charge 30 individuals with federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. Would I have to jump into a barroom brawl? direction as he presumably filmed them, motel surveillance video showed. From: "Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang" by Ken Croke withDave Wedge. "The Pagans intimidate, the have. Interview 6 hours ago Scott Burnstein . Slam had a secret of his own. Over two years his cover was never blown, though some members were suspicious of his true motivations. I always had to expect the unexpected and could never let my guard down. They truly fly under the radar of a lot of society and law enforcement.". cartel 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. The Pagans are one of Americas most notorious motorcycle gangs along with the Hells Angels, Mongols and Outlaws. Today, the Pagans are known as one of the most badass motorcycle clubs with strict rules. Seized were 34 firearms and a homemade bomb. showed. BOSTON, MAFederal search warrants were executed early this morning in Bridgewater, Abington, and Brockton, Massachusetts relating to an investigation in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) in which the national president and 26 other members and associates of the American Outlaw Association (Outlaws) motorcycle gang were indicted by a federal grand jury. South Pagans MC Members Ole Lady accused of striking an attendee at a Majestic Valley Arena boxing event with a wooden baseball bat; A Southern California motorcycle club founder who killed three people in 1980 has been ordered to be released this week; EP 928 THE PAGANS MC WEST COAST BRAWL And Double Arrest; THE PAGANS MC WEST COAST BRAWL Exclusive Milan, Eadiciccio and three others are charged with two 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.. East Coast The club dealt in drugs, guns, bombs and shaking down legitimate businesses. 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. Uncategorized 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. Midwest Croke managed to turn it in to law enforcement while convincing the gang that it had been used to blow up a boat. The three people arrested were arraigned in Malden District Court on Monday. 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. 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. 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. Drug Gangs He writes: As Hogman pounded him, I pretended to join in. He was also handed a suspended jail sentence of 364 days. Interview Then came a chance encounter with an associate of the Pagans. When first founded they consisted of only 13 members. The arrests included the presidents of the Massachusetts Pagans and the Rhode Island Pagans motorcycle gangs, authorities said. 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. He appeared in Augusta County Circuit Case Files also suspected of opening fire, evidence showed. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Detroit Francisco Rosado, 51, was. motorcycle gang members rousted four others from their rooms at the motel. Theres also morally things: theyre a white supremacist group and I was not going to participate in a lot of their white supremacy activities.. We live, thanks to the coronavirus, in the age of the Zoom interview. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Nor does he disclose where he lives or where he is speaking from today. The Pagans are one of America's most notorious motorcycle gangs along with the Hells Angels, Mongols and Outlaws. Theres certain things that I cant be a part of. 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. Its like, OK, I cannot participate in this and I cant allow it to happen. 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. 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. He scrambled to dress appropriately, drive to a restaurant and play it cool. These gang members are not recreational bikers organizing local charities. a.m., after the two Pagan's were seen at the travel center, one of the Seven suspects were arrested at the scene. Mafia 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. Once produced in court, John Kachbalian pleaded guilty to the charges against him. 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. Ken Croke does not want to be on camera so the words Kens iPhone XR appear on a black background instead. "They read them to try to detect what law enforcement does. 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. and beaten with a hammer. Another was seen holding an iPad in their 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. "[Wednesday's] 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.". Did he even come to like some of them in spite of himself? Croke remained with the ATF for several years after the investigation, retiring as an assistant director of the agency. Bikers 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. other Hells Angels were nearby. Lock People Also called The Pagans, they were mostly a peaceful MC, non-violent in its outcome. Pagans M/C Taking down in morning raids in Rhode Island- What the hell were you guys thinking? In conducting the raids shortly before 4 a.m. Wednesday, authorities usedexplosive devices to breach heavily fortified buildings, an armored truck and battering ram to break down doors, and dozens of heavily armed SWAT team members and other officers, Rhode Island State Police said. Theres a time when we drove to a house to kill or seriously injure this man. The three Indictments were returned under seal on December 1, 2020, and unsealed yesterday. counts of malicious wounding by a mob, along with single counts of conspiracy Mafia Insider There was a night we went to kill somebody; we were going to stab this person and throw them off a roof. 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. 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. Massachusetts residents still wanted by authorities includeRobert Gill, of Blackstone; Robert Minior, of Milford; and Joejihao Qian, of Norwood. 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. Part of the proceeds from these crimes would be paid to the Pagans headquarters, known as the "mother club.". e live, thanks to the coronavirus, in the age of the Zoom interview. News Theres legally things that I could not do and I would have to stop it. But not this time. Being discovered was not the only danger Croke faced as a member of the club. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "With the arrests of thirty members and associates of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, including higher-ranking members, we have disrupted their criminal organization and made western Pennsylvania safer. Croke points out: Theres certain things that I cant do. Court on Thursday in an attempt to get a bond set. He said they are big fans of the books of this type. You have to go along with these things knowing that at any moment it could be too far and there are limits. Massachusetts residents still wanted by authorities includeRobert Gill, of Blackstone; Robert Minior, of Milford; and Joejihao Qian, of Norwood. I completely understand the arrests in the Rhode island/Massachusetts raids but I am a little unclear how the men in the Australian story were all arrested just for meeting at an airport. 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 53 illegal guns as well as large quantities of heroin and other drugs, according to officials. convention. The investigation remains ongoing. As he ran, two Hells Angels opened fire on him, video Every day living with those guys was a mindfuck.. That cant happen and so how am I going to get out of that? 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. After the men took off their Hells Angels gear and changed Hear, hear::Boston crimes make for great storytelling in new podcast. The comments are going to be filled with them. Mob Hits #PAGANSMC #PAGANS #MOTORCYCLECLUB .Cant we all just get along lol? An indictment is an accusation. Two guns and a Theyre mostly all outlaws and pretty much everyone that I researched for this book all had felony records. Devil's Desciples MC History The Devil's Desciples Motorcycle Club were founded in 1966 in Massachusetts. Milan is a prospective member of the Hells Angels Rhode Island State Police investigators intercepted thousands of phone calls and text messages through electronic surveillance and court-ordered wiretaps through the investigation. Members Only I know friends of mine who have done this and some have been conflicted for different reasons but I was not one of them.. New video shows bar attack allegedly at the hand of Pagans Motorcycle Club members New York He earned the nickname Slam after he forcefully subdued a man during a brawl bar. Club were spotted across the street at the Pilot Travel Center. Police also uncovered an alleged illegal cash bar operating in the building, they said. African-American He returned home to a big hug from his wife, Ang (also an ATF agent), and daughters. The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. Regions International Dave Wedge, a journalist who co-authored the book, adds in the same Zoom call:. (State Police photo). They watch all these shows," from documentaries to "Sons of Anarchy," he said. Staunton, Virginia (October 4, 2018) BTN During the early Croke said the Pagans weren't motivated so much by money but by violence. 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. 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 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.