Brianna Kraemer
Carolina Journal
Afederal indictment in the Eastern District of North Carolina has charged 16 motorcycle gang members for engaging in violent criminal activity around Raleigh and Fayetteville.
Gang members with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) and the Red Devils Motorcycle Club (RDMC) were at the center of a criminal investigation known as Operation Broken Halo that began in January 2023. According to a press release, RDMC is the primary support club for HAMC across the country, and both groups resort to violence to defend their territory and intimidate competitors.
The indictment alleges that all 16 defendants are members or associates of the HAMC, a violent outlaw motorcycle group alleged to use violence, threats, and intimidation to carry out its perceived mission and enforce its rules.
During a Wednesday press conference, US Attorney Michael Easley outlined the charges and said that while the vast majority of motorcycle clubs are composed of law-abiding citizens, a fraction partake in illegal activity.
“The Hells Angels consider themselves to be part of the one percent. They call themselves the ‘one percenters,’ unlike the 99% of law-abiding motorcycle riders,” Easley explained. “This indictment alleges that the Hell’s Angels use violence to protect their power and their territory, including physical assault, murder, threats, and intimidation to silence witnesses and deter cooperation with law enforcement.”
In one case, five members allegedly killed a member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club (PMC), a rival gang, on January 1, 2023, in Raleigh. Two additional defendants are charged for their actions following the murder. As part of the operation, state charges for the murder were dropped and federal charges were adopted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In another case, eight defendants are charged for their role in a violent assault of a PMC member at a Dairy Queen parking lot in Wade, North Carolina, on July 22, 2023. The final defendant is charged with obstruction for attempting to dissuade a witness from assisting in the criminal investigation.
The indictment further alleges that the members of Hells Angels in Fayetteville hold meetings known as “church” in a facility stocked with surveillance cameras, fortified doors, windows, brass knuckles, firearms, knives and ball-peen hammers.
With a hierarchical structure, the chapter president of Hells Angels allegedly gives orders to its members and prospective members. The Hells Angels have had a long-standing feud with the Pagans Motorcycle Club, and the Hells Angels have issued a standing green light order to attack, assault, or even kill any Pagan that they encounter. Failure to comply with that green light order to attack pagans can result in retaliation, assault, or loss of status within the Hells Angels.
During the press conference, Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said the Raleigh Police Department and the Raleigh community will not tolerate violent criminal behavior or criminal behavior period in our city.
“My message to these organizations is clear: If you think your affiliation with a criminal organization shields you from accountability, you are wrong,” said Patterson. “Your criminal behavior will be met with the full weight and resources of the Raleigh Police Department, along with all our federal and state partners. Your criminal activity has no place in the Raleigh community.”
Five defendants charged with one count of Murder in Aid of Racketeering face a mandatory life sentence upon conviction. Other defendants face anywhere from three to 30 years in prison. A full list of the defendants can be found on the Justice Department’s website.
Officials warned that criminal enterprises engaging in violence “better keep on riding” through North Carolina or the Department of Justice will be “riding you in pursuit of cases.”
Comentarios