Twenty Pagans were taken into custody on charges including racketeering, drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. Podcasts Then came a chance encounter with an associate of the Pagans. I always had to expect the unexpected and could never let my guard down. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. A rocket launcher?Raids, called single largest take-down in Rhode Island State Police history seizes guns, drugs and even a rocket launcher. Investigators believe two members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club Jordan Patrick Taylor, 30, of Pasco, and Triston Broome, 24, of West Richland spotted members of a rival motorcycle club in . 5 Motorcycle Clubs We Trust (5 We'd Never Mess With) - HotCars As a part of his plea deal, the judge ordered John to cut off all contacts from his victims and stay off social media. One slipup would mean being beaten with ax handles, or worse. Croke points out: Theres certain things that I cant do. But not this time. Drug Gangs :'Deep Water,' 'Fresh,' 'Turning Red,' 'Master,' 'Adam Project'. Some years ago people who did these types of investigations would go into hiding literally they would move away but in this day and age you cant hide. of them reportedly members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and the other a 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." 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. That investigation is continuing, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie said while announcing the arrests. FBI Twenty-Seven Members of American Outlaw Association Motorcycle He was released on $500 bail after his arraignment, Ryan said. African-American Modern Paganism - Definition and Meanings - Learn Religions 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. Operation Diamond Ice: Pagan's MC Boss In N.C., "Diamond King" Baker Receives What Amounts To Life Sentence In Federal Drug Case . 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. Even undercover, Croke remained a federal law enforcement officer, obligated to prevent anyone from getting killed orseriously injured in his presence. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government. New York ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The value of what Ken did defies explanation but the true value is the knowledge going forward for all these other law enforcement agents that are going to be investigating these types of cases. Fax:412-644-4549, Johnstown:814-533-4547 If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Mob Hits At first it was uncomfortable to be around, though over time he learned to detach and ignore it. "They read them to try to detect what law enforcement does. Croke managed to turn it in to law enforcement while convincing the gang that it had been used to blow up a boat. 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. 2023 www.patriotledger.com. also suspected of opening fire, evidence showed. Midwest bike to the ground. Movies Croke remained with the ATF for several years after the investigation, retiring as an assistant director of the agency. Off the wires: The leader of the Massachusetts Pagans motorcycle club 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. 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. And they operate according to a pack mentality, he said. ', Asked if he thought members of the Pagans would read the book, Croke replied, "I would be surprised if they don't.". The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news including Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & Biker News Worldwide. 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. 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. Bikers 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. Today, the Pagans are known as one of the most badass motorcycle clubs with strict rules. Eleven Members of The Pagan's Motorcycle Club Charged with Narcotics Croke said he wasn't sure he wanted to write a book about his life with the Pagans, but was urged to do it by his wife, Angela, a fellow ATF agent, and their three daughters. 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. "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. State Police raided the headquarters of the Pagan Motorcycle Club in Everett and confiscated 4 unlawful guns and arrested 3 men. (Rhode Island State Police). Would I be faced with a pile of coke and a choice? As the Pagan's pulled up to their room, one following the 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. 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? cartel There was a night we went to kill somebody; we were going to stab this person and throw them off a roof. QUINCYSlam enjoyed a meteoricrise through the ranks of the Pagans, the secretiveoutlaw motorcycle gang that prided itself on having neverbeen infiltrated by law enforcement. Pagans MC: We were ambushed by the Hells Angels MC Its like, OK, I cannot participate in this and I cant allow it to happen. 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. (State Police photo). On one occasion Croke received a call from a gang member who was unexpectedly and ominously close by and wanted to meet. Sentences ranged from two to 16 years. Word soon went out that there was. These are violent criminals who belong to some of the most sinister motorcycle gangs in this country," Assumpico said in a statement. John "Egyptian" Kachbalian Now: Where is Ex-Pagans Motorcycle Club 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). Every day I woke up, I wondered what sort of shit was going to happen. 30 Members and Associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club Facing Federal Are there any active biker gangs in Massachusetts? 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. evidence shown Thursday in Augusta County Circuit Court. 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. They view everyone whos not one of them as a subculture and so everywhere they go, thats their thought: youre not one of us, youre less than. After gaining a swelling mass of new members which put the Pagans on the path to evolve into an outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG). 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. In court Thursday, Milan, who has no prior felonies, was Roughly 90 minutes later, as the two Pagan's pulled into the This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. He earned the nickname Slam after he forcefully subdued a man during a brawl bar. They decided to start their relationship over and begin dating again. "The story I heard was pretty incredible. 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. The Pagans are one of America's most notorious motorcycle gangs along with the Hells Angels, Mongols and Outlaws. The rider in front wiped out as he attempted to escape the ambush, skidding his "They are extremely dangerous. What sort of dumb shit would they ask me to do? The comments are going to be filled with them. That cant happen and so how am I going to get out of that? International Croke has good reason to be discreet. People 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. of East Elmhurst, New York. Ken Croke does not want to be on camera so the words Kens iPhone XR appear on a black background instead. Uncategorized Police will allege the five men associated together at the Adelaide Airport on Sunday 22 April, prior to boarding an overseas flight. 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. Hear, hear::Boston crimes make for great storytelling in new podcast. e live, thanks to the coronavirus, in the age of the Zoom interview. 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. "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. The club was on its way back from a gathering in Delaware. Massachusetts residents arrested in the raid includedRobert Hamilton, of Franklin; Lisa Kakazu, of Bellingham; Marc Bunnell, of Blackstone; and Jason Oliver, of Fall River. Who knows what goes thru peoples brain. An indictment is an accusation. The Pagans Motorcycle Club was founded in 1959 by Lou Dobkin in Prince George's County which is located in Maryland, USA. That doesnt really seem to be the case with the Pagans. East Coast Featured Mafia Mafia Insider Members Only . 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. New York As it relates to this count, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Basiliere was arraigned as a fugitive from justice and was held pending extradition. 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. Usergen Interview An inside look at the Pagans motorcycle club and the threat it - nj 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. Two other Hells Angels were not charged in the attack but #PAGANSMC #PAGANS #MOTORCYCLECLUB .Can't we all just get along lol? Documentary In one incident, a Pagans member came up to Massachusetts to check up on him, bringing along a bomb. In a shocking memoir Riding with Evil, federal agent Ken Croke details his time undercover with a violent white supremacist gang. HELLS ANGELS & PAGANS MC FALL RIVER - YouTube From: "Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang" by Ken Croke withDave Wedge. Seized were 34 firearms and a homemade bomb. Exclusive After the men took off their Hells Angels gear and changed 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 The raids were conducted without incident. Theres certain things that I will have to stop. Mafia Insider Prior to the shooting, which took place shortly before 3