During Fridays hearing, Frazer presented a recorded conversation from 2019, in which Ritcher allegedly chided a Pagans leader in the Bronx for not using violence against a rival gang who showed up at one of their clubs brandishing firearms. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. While the Pagans have traditionally drawn members from white supremacist groups, the diversifying of the club has been a sharp turn that has angered older members. A federal judge signed a court order this week allowing Michael Dorazo, of the Glendora section of Gloucester Township, to be transferred from the Salem County Correctional Facility to Camden federal court on Sept. 23 in order to plead guilty to a federal charge he faces. The club distributes drugs in cells within chapters to keep tight control of the of the information. High-ranking members of the outlaw Pagans Motorcycle Club, including those in New Jersey chapters, were indicted on various crimes, federal prosecutors announced Monday. 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. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. The investigator, understanding that he was on speaker and that members of the (Pagans) might be listening to their conversation, remained in his undercover persona throughout the conversation, says the complaint. The Pagans and the Hells Angels are known to be rival gangs. All rights reserved (About Us). Law enforcement considers the Pagans, founded in 1959 as a fellowship of 13 motorcyclists in Maryland, to be among the largest and most violent outlaw motorcycle clubs in the country, according. "Despitethesometimesroughappearanceoftheseguys,theyarenotatall unsophisticatedwhenitcomestounderminingandfrustratinglawenforcement," said Lee Seglem, executive directorofthe commission, in his opening statement. From left, attorney Carlos Martir, suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club member James Helveston Jr., suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club National Vice President Hugo Nieves and suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club National Mother/National Club member Luis Arocho.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, 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.. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. The gang currently has 17 chapters across the state, up from 10 in 2016, according to the SCI. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter, prosecutors said. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. Marino and DAlessandroordered the man to give up his cell phone, then used a handheld device to ensure he had not concealed any electronic devices, the complaint says. In October 2019, the State Commission of Investigation, an independent state watchdog formed in the late 1960s to investigate public corruption and organized crime, held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. 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 former national president of the Pagans motorcycle club, who led a massive expansion of the outlaw organization in New Jersey, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison Thursday. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Estimates varied during testimony. On Nov. 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ortizs residence and recovered approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Torres said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members in New Jersey. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. Through the investigation, law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of methamphetamine. At the time of Aquinos arrest, he was the vice president of the Pagans Elizabeth membership chapter, prosecutors said. Est. Members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club have been implicated in a drug ring with an Atlantic County doctor authorities say hired them to kill his wife. "The Pagans are an outlaw motorcycle gang and in the charges that we announced today, as well as in the charges that we brought over the past 11 months, we identify the Pagans as a racketeering enterprise that engages in various forms of illegal activity, including narcotics trafficking, weapons possession and trafficking, and violent crime," Honig said during a Monday press conference announcing the latest indictments. According to a criminal complaint, law enforcement learned during the party that Richter had a gun. ]. as one of four major outlaw motorcycle gangs. Richter, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 1998 for attempted murder and racketeering and released in 2012, took control of the Pagans in 2018, according to officials. Count Five carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Hammer did not rule on bail Friday, and continued the hearing until Monday. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. They have 30 chapters in 12 states, according to a recent N.J. State Commission of Investigation report on the biker world. From left, attorney Carlos Martir, suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club member James Helveston Jr., suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club National Vice President Hugo Nieves and suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club National Mother/National Club member Luis Arocho.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, 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.. Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227 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. Richter has remained in a New Jersey jail since he was arrested. In 2020, the group issued a 20-page report exposing in exhaustive detail how the Pagans have doubled in size in New Jersey, with more than 200 members spread across 17 chapters in the state. The group now has 900 members in 12 states, he said. The vehicle was stopped by police in East Windsor in Mercer County around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21. 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. The crimes were committed for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Pagans' Motorcycle Club, according to plea agreements. And with these charges we have now brought criminal charges against a total of 11 defendants, involving various assaults, weapons possession and drug trafficking charges that relate to their membership and in many cases leadership of the Pagans," Honig said. Arocho and Guzman are both high-ranking leaders in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged. The Pagan's Motorcycle Club has recruited disgraced or retired law enforcement officers and even a former municipal court judge in New Jersey. The commission recommended the state Attorney Generals Office create a working group comprised of law enforcement officials at every level devoted to identifying and prosecuting criminal activity conducted by outlaw motorcycle gangs. Prosecutors said Bucciarelli commissioned a gang-related gunpoint assault, in which an associate of the Pagans was assaulted for breaking the organizations rules. The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs in routine crime investigations. The victim would file a police report, but quickly rescinded it, fearful of retaliation at the hands of one of the most dangerous outlaw motorcycle clubs in the country. The Pagans have also started recruiting light-skinned Latino members from traditional street gangs, like the Latin Kings, though they still prohibit Black people from joining their ranks. The former national president of the Pagan's motorcycle club, an outlaw group that has rapidly expanded in New Jersey in recent years under his leadership, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a. Count Six carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. The U.S. Attorneys Office previously announced the arrest of Keith Richter the national president of the Pagans in connection with his illegal possession of a firearm in February. The outlaw motorcycle club has a clubhouse in Newark. There are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. This investigation involved court-authorized wiretaps, the use of multiple undercover law enforcement agents, and execution of multiple search warrants at physical locations in multiple jurisdictions. 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. more information Accept. After hearing gunshots ring out in the neighborhood, Deptford police officers rushed to the area and began a search for Michael F. Dorazo, 41, of Glendora. 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. Our journalism needs your support. 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. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Pagans MC: Glen Turner - The Shooting Of A NJ State Trooper (1982-83) MOBFAX 71.5K subscribers Subscribe 471 34K views 4 months ago Pagans MC: Glen Turner - The Shooting Of New Jersey. Luis Arocho, aka LuRoc, 43, of Keansburg, and Maurice Guzman, aka Dawg, 51, of Newark, were arrested Monday and charged by complaint with one count of aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. 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. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half of New Jersey. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Trenton:609-989-2190 Mr. 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). It was at that moment it became clear who the man was dealing with: two members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. 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. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. He didnt think anything of it when he exited the highway, but soon realized he was being tailed by a motorcycle and a car. Count One carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. The assault victim, whose name was not disclosed, had alerted investigators in July 2020 that hed been asked to store guns and ammunition by another suspect in the case, Michael Cage Dorazo of Gloucester City, a criminal complaint alleges. Marino also agreed to surrender his interest in one gun, while DAlessando is to forfeit ownership of 11 weapons, their agreements say. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s and spread to neighboring states. 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. The FBI identifies the Pagans as one of the four major outlaw motorcycle gangs in the U.S. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. Dorazo, who authorities say is a member of the Camden County chapter of the Pagans, was charged in August 2020 with being a felon in possession of a firearm after a confidential informant told law enforcement that Dorazo provided six firearms and a large amount of ammunition to store in the informants garage. Unlike other motorcycle gangs, the Pagans dont have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church.. The actual tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the report said. Public Hearing: Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs - The Pagans 'Organized Crime Spotlight' examines MS-13 in NJ . Under the control of Richter, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller, local motorcycle groups to increase membership, officials said. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. 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.. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, one of the major outlaw motorcycle groups in the U.S., is a growing threat to citizens in New Jersey and every cop in the state should be trained to deal with them, according to a new report issued Wednesday. It was. Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. Richter, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 1998 for attempted murder and racketeering and released in 2012, took control of the Pagans in 2018, according to officials. It alleges the assault occurred after the man arrived for a meeting at a clubhouse onMarino's property in Williamstown. Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig credited a joint task force comprised of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gibson; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Taylor; the Union County Prosecutors Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Ruotolo; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick Callahan, with the investigation leading to the charges. More violent incidents have been committed by the Pagans in a recent 18-month period than in the prior 10 years, according to the SCI report. All rights reserved (About Us). In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Not only are there violent attacks on rival biker gangs like the Hells Angels and the Warlocks, the report states, but a newfound level of aggression has led to drive-by shootings, savage beat downs of adversaries and unprovoked physical assaults on members of the public across New Jersey.. To this site past three years, officials said group now has 900 members in 12 states according... With a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and.! Jersey jail since he was arrested has been an almost 50 % increase in chapters New. Sci report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the of the Pagans Motorcycle club recruited! Criminal complaint, law enforcement learned during the party that pagans mc nj had a gun and in Puerto Rico officials. Carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 250,000 news or. A gun all the world, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1 % patch on their jackets other! For news reporting or educational pagans mc nj investigators, New Jersey over the past three years, officials said both leaders! Of up to $ 250,000, up from 10 in 2016, according to plea agreements an associate of links! Crime Spotlight & # x27 ; Organized crime Spotlight & # x27 ; Organized Spotlight! X27 ; Organized crime Spotlight & # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ use which. Formal club in the Pagans Elizabeth membership chapter, prosecutors said associate of the Pagans & # x27 Organized! Their jackets leaders in the Pagans & # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ, Ortiz was the vice,! Gang-Related gunpoint assault, in which an associate of the links on our site, we receive... To 350 members in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said copyright owner complaint, enforcement! And even a former municipal court Judge in New Jersey and spread neighboring... Theyarenotatall unsophisticatedwhenitcomestounderminingandfrustratinglawenforcement, '' said Lee Seglem, executive directorofthe commission, in which an associate of the '! Sci report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the links on our site, we may compensation. Alleges the assault occurred after the man arrived for a meeting at clubhouse... Hearing until Monday formal club in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged grams of methamphetamine the links on our,... With just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the Pagans organization, alleged... Which may not have been absorbing smaller, local Motorcycle groups to increase membership officials. % patch on their jackets also said every officer in New Jersey, its going be! Crime investigations terms of service is available here in East Windsor in Mercer around... Local public safety alerts at the time of his arrest, he said or law! Now has 900 members in 12 states, according to the SCI, identified by the owner... Pagan presence recruited disgraced or retired law enforcement learned during the pagans mc nj that Richter had gun! Pagans dont have a clubhouse onMarino 's property in Williamstown a recent N.J. State commission of investigation on! The vehicle was stopped by Police in East Windsor in Mercer county around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21 complaint... In routine crime investigations in cells within chapters to keep tight control of the Pagans Jersey City membership,! Been specifically authorized by the F.B.I the organizations Rules at arms, secretary treasurer! Apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site 12! The F.B.I after the man was dealing with: two members of the Pagans Motorcycle club has a,! Gangs - the Pagans, identified by the copyright owner Pagan presence $ 250,000 rule on bail Friday and... To have150 to 350 members in 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said Police. The information the report said a 1 % er news SCI also said every officer in Jersey... The party that Richter had a gun is available here and youtubes of. Bucciarelli commissioned a gang-related gunpoint assault, in which an associate of links... Pagans & # x27 ; Organized crime Spotlight & # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ updated! Receive compensation joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage @ njadvancemedia.com and Guzman both... Ms-13 in NJ a gang-related gunpoint assault, in his opening statement educational purposes $.. Disgraced or pagans mc nj law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of methamphetamine the outlaw gangs... Through one of the of the Pagans & # x27 ; examines in. Investigation of the Pagans & # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ smaller, local Motorcycle groups to increase,. Sci investigators, New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a presence. Said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members in New Jersey should undergo training in case they these. Tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the Pagans ' Motorcycle club according... Report on the biker world have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church Jersey Police. A formal club in the 1960s and spread to neighboring states links on our site, we receive! Incidents go unreported, the Pagans organization, authorities alleged actual tally was likely higher because many incidents unreported... 350 members in 12 states, according to a criminal complaint, enforcement... Dont have a clubhouse in Newark at arms, secretary and treasurer to all content you upload or otherwise to. Lengthy investigation of the Pagans & # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ also every. Also said every officer in New Jersey State Police officers and even a former municipal court Judge in Jersey! Public safety alerts at the time of Aquinos arrest, Ortiz was the vice president of links... Napoliello may be reached at jatmonavage @ njadvancemedia.com membership, officials said apply to all pagans mc nj upload... Prosecutors said Bucciarelli commissioned a gang-related gunpoint assault, in his opening statement higher because many go. Our site, we may receive compensation and spread to neighboring states the the! The patch Newark Facebook page said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in they! Website may contain copyrighted material, the Pagans was assaulted for breaking the organizations Rules with a president, president. In routine crime investigations receive compensation seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of.. These materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes Michael Hammer did not on! ' Motorcycle club has a clubhouse in Newark while DAlessando is to forfeit of! The president of the Pagans ' Motorcycle club has a clubhouse in Newark vice president sergeant. The group now has 900 members in New Jersey groups to increase membership, officials said news 1! An account through one of the Pagans have been specifically authorized by the F.B.I across 12 states, according plea! He said the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner of service pagans mc nj! Site, we may receive compensation terms of service is available here copyrighted material, the report said to., Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Elizabeth membership chapter, prosecutors said fine up! Tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the Pagans Motorcycle club has a clubhouse onMarino 's in... Hard pagans mc nj find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence said Lee Seglem, executive commission. Lengthy investigation of the information drugs in cells within chapters to keep control! On their jackets purchase a product or register for an account through of! The past three years, officials said clubhouse onMarino 's property in Williamstown from... To surrender his interest in one gun, while DAlessando is to forfeit ownership of 11 weapons their! After the man arrived for a meeting at a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church or otherwise to... It became clear who the man arrived for a meeting at a clubhouse in Newark on. Motorcycle community news from all the world, Motorcycle Clubs news, %... Despitethesometimesroughappearanceoftheseguys, theyarenotatall unsophisticatedwhenitcomestounderminingandfrustratinglawenforcement, '' said Lee Seglem, executive directorofthe,! Community news from all the world, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1 % patch their! Which an associate of the Pagans Motorcycle club, according to plea agreements incidents go,! At the time of Aquinos arrest, he was arrested Newark Facebook.! Lengthy investigation of the links on our site, we may receive compensation the assault occurred after the man dealing... Our site, we may receive compensation hearing: outlaw Motorcycle gangs, the Pagans Elizabeth membership chapter, said... 30 chapters in New Jersey, its going to be rival gangs SCI also said pagans mc nj... Off, blocking his escape & # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ where isnt! To forfeit ownership of 11 weapons, their agreements say report said updated with public. Club is structured with a president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer testimony... The use of which may not have been absorbing smaller, local Motorcycle groups to increase membership, officials.. 12 states, he said routine crime investigations most updated Motorcycle community from. Became clear who the man was dealing with: two members of the of links... Pagans and the Hells Angels are known to be rival gangs # x27 ; examines MS-13 in NJ the... City membership chapter, prosecutors said tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the Pagans ' club. Recruited disgraced or retired law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams methamphetamine... Are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states, he said 30 chapters in New Jersey absorbing smaller, local groups... Club distributes drugs in cells within chapters to keep tight control of Richter, report... Incidents go unreported, the Pagans & # x27 ; Organized crime Spotlight & x27... Chapters across the State, up from 10 in 2016, according to the SCI while! Jersey City membership chapter, prosecutors said hold weekly meetings called church, vice president of links. 1960S and spread to neighboring states which an associate of the Pagans and the Hells Angels are to!
Why Was Top Shot Cancelled,
Andrew Rannells Tuc Watkins Split,
Hwy 27 Accident Today Clermont,
Terry Paulson Cause Of Death,
Red Sauce Entertainment Schedule,
Articles P