pagans mc nj

Later, the same Pagan and two of his companions ambushed the patron, hitting him twice in the head with an axe handle a weapon of choice for the Pagans. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Daniel Hooban, 33, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Larry Ortiz, aka Savage, 31, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Junius Aquino, aka Jayo, 38, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, were indicted for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering (Count One) and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (Count Two), in connection with their roles in a gang-related shooting. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. Seemingly random assaults like these on the citizens of the Garden State have officials at the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation urging law enforcement to take action. As the Long Island resident was traveling back to his home, New Jersey authorities pulled over the vehicle Richter was in. NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) -- Two top members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club are facing federal assault charges in the U.S. Department of Justice's crackdown on the outlaw gang, authorities say. Have a question about Government Services? This is a serious matter that requires immediate attention from the larger policing community, the report said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. It was. In another incident, a man was in a bar in Elizabeth a city dominated by the Pagans when he started talking to a female bartender. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the councils questions. The Pagans motorcycle gang, with a notorious history in South Jersey two and three decades ago, is back with a vengeance, according to testimony at a State Commission of Investigation hearing last week. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. One of the more disturbing elements of the investigation, the commission said, is that sensitive law enforcement information regarding the Pagans has been leaked to members of the club. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and Anthony. If you are a copyright owner or are authorized to act on behalf of one or authorized to act under any exclusive right under copyright, please report alleged copyright infringements taking place on or through the site by completing the DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to our Designated Copyright Agent. Pagans National President Keith "Conan" Richter was attendingthat party last month before his arrest for gun possession in New Jersey by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms . In New Jersey, Pagans membership, which has always been strong in South Jersey, has increased at an alarming rate in recent years, with 300 members in 17 chapters throughout the state.. An alleged member of the Pagan's motorcycle club who was charged with attempted murder earlier this year is set to plead guilty to a federal charge related to having an associate of the outlaw. Under the control of Richter, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller, local motorcycle clubs to increase membership, officials said. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A Pagans MC leader, Jay Carl Wagner, 66, was arrested in Washington County, Maryland, by 60-plus officers from state, local and federal officials with a bomb disposal robot on May 9, 2007, and later charged with possession of a regulated firearm after conviction of a violent crime. Our journalism needs your support. Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: New Jersey's SPCAs 17 Years Later. The Pagans were founded in the 1960s out of Maryland. In recent years, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller motorcycle gangs at an alarming rate, officials said. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Joe Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, a major expansion of the outlaw motorcycle gang, sentenced to four years in prison in 2019. There are at least 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials have said. Count Two carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. For more on crime in New Jersey, scroll to the video above. On Nov. 5, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Aquinos residence and recovered, among other items, multiple .40 caliber rounds of ammunition and approximately 50 grams of cocaine. Eventually, the informant was allegedly struck with an axe handle and held at gunpoint by other influential leaders of the Pagans in South Jersey over the mishandling of the firearms, authorities said. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. The victim told the Pagans hed sold the guns for $5,000 and turned over that amount of money, which was provided by federal investigators, to Dorazo, the complaint alleges. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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). CAMDEN - Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The national president of the Pagans Motorcycle Club was arrested Friday by federal authorities after law enforcement recovered a firearm during a traffic stop in New Jersey last weekend, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Torres said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members in New Jersey. These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Keith "Conan" Richter, the former president of the Pagan's motorcycle club, pictured in 2018 at an event in New Jersey. A report released Wednesday by the group, an independent state watchdog formed in the late 1960s to investigate public corruption and organized crime, says the Pagans have increased their membership ranks in the past three years and pose a growing threat to the public. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s, spreading to neighboring states. 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). The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. There are also individual chapter presidents, and those members are referred to as the Mother Club, responsible for managing Pagans' business and recruitment efforts on a local level. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Luis Arocho, 43, of Keansburg, and Maurice Guzman, 51, of Newark, were charged with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. Bucciarelli has pleaded not guilty to charges that include assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Public Hearing: Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs - The Pagans 'Organized Crime Spotlight' examines MS-13 in NJ . Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. It was around this time it adopted the outlaw motorcycle mentality, collectively known as the one-percenters. The theory is most motorcycle riders are law-abiding citizens, except for the 1% who arent. Ortiz was also charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The victim was ordered to call the buyer of the guns, who was actually a federal investigator, and to request an update on the weapons, the complaint alleges. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs - State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation 1989 Report THE PAGANS Operating in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, the Pagans' overall membership has been estimated at between 300 and 400. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. Ritchers attorney argued that his client is at high-risk to COVID-19 if he is detained and offered a $1 million bail package for Richter to be released on. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. Bucciarelli was also indicted for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine, prosecutors added. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. There are more Latino members of the group in North Jersey than elsewhere. The actual tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the report said. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, Two Members of Pagans Motorcycle Club Indicted for Shooting at Hells Angels Associate on New Jersey Turnpike, Bergen County Man Charged for Possession of Machine Gun, Rifle, Handgun, and Fraudulent United States Marshals Service Credentials in Newark Airport, Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in Murder for Hire, Three Hudson County Men Charged with Narcotics and Firearms Related Offenses Inside Jersey City Apartment Building, Two Members of Pagans Motorcycle Club Indicted For Shooting At Hells Angels Associate On New Jersey Turnpike. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. Stay with APP.com or consider a subscription today. The club also extorts business owners and relies on members to pay monthly dues of $100. The Bay Shore, New York, resident was a passenger in a GMC that left the party around 11 p.m. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Federal authorities have also described Dorazo, 41, as a known distributor of methamphetamine in and around Camden and Gloucester Counties, though he does not face any current drug charges. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter, prosecutors said. District of New Jersey 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. The group's move into North Jersey is why the violence has increased, investigators said. There are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. It included interviews with Pagan members their voices altered to protect their identities and video of a brutal attack in 2018 near a Hells Angels clubhouse in Newark. FAX: 856-968-4917 I dont care if it is two cops, a priest, a nun, five little kids or Jesus f------ Christ himself, if you pull something on me, I am going to shoot you, Ritcher allegedly said in the recorded conversation, according to Frazer. Estimates varied during testimony. "They're typically given as many drugs or drinks as they want., One Paganmotto: "Breaking laws and breaking jaws since 1959". Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Hugo Zorro Nieves, the alleged vice president of the Pagans, broke his silence to say, It is not the policy of this club to engage in any criminal activity, and thats all I will say about that.. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Pagans continue to distribute methamphetamine but are getting away from manufacturing it, relying more on "super labs" in Mexico. Prosecutors moved to have Richter detained pending the outcome of the case due to his criminal history, they said, and because of his role as the leader of the motorcycle gang. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The vehicle was stopped by police in East Windsor in Mercer County around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21. And whenit comes to evading detection, they're getting better. Then in May, a federal judge lifted the home incarceration and allowed Dorazo to look for employment, according to court documents. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. Rutgers Newark Staff Say Theyre Fed Up With Contract Negotiations, Bob Menendez Joins Student Loan Protesters Outside Supreme Court, Average Property Tax Bill In Newark Is Growing, Latest Data Shows, Hoboken's Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Video Shows NJ Mans Fatal Attempt To Run From Newark Police, NJ Marijuana Jobs: Tips For Getting Hired In The Cannabis Industry. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Long-term operations of this magnitude require a tremendous amount of work and patience by cooperating detectives, and while the full scope and impact of this investigation may yet be fully realized, its success continues a year after it began, Callahan said. Each man agreed to surrender his interest in two baseball bats and six ax handles seized in September 2020. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. The New Jersey State Commission of Investigation found that Richters leadership had led to the club multiplying its members, but also engaging in violence and other criminal acts as they expanded. Seemingly random assaults like these on the citizens of the Garden State have officials at the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation urging law enforcement to take action. Andrew Kramer charged with murder of Melissa Malcolm in Mount Laurel, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. It is unclear why Richter was not arrested during the traffic stop. "In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence. "They're very well organized," Torres told the commission. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. ", Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo thanked the agencies that collaborated during the investigation, saying they have the "gratitude of communities impacted and made safer.". Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half of New Jersey. Its unclear how the arrest of Richter will impact the group. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. , which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the indictment are merely accusations and. Motorcycle club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland in. Here and youtubes terms of service is available here they 're very well Organized, '' torres told the.... @ njadvancemedia.com 350 members in New Jersey over the vehicle Richter was not arrested the... 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