Unlike other motorcycle gangs, the Pagans dont have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church.. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched and kicked by the Pagans assailants, causing significant injuries.. 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. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. 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. Those charges are being prosecuted in state court and remain pending. The club also extorts business owners and relies on members to pay monthly dues of $100. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Members of the Pagans, who have doubled their chapters statewide in the past three years, have conducted numerous assaults against members of the public, some of whom have had no connection to the club, the report from the New Jersey Commission of Investigation said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. 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. Significantly, many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club. According to Honig, "that includes the national president, a member of the Pagans Mother Club, which is a national organization that oversees its operations, the president of presidents in New Jersey, the presidents of the Jersey City and Gloucester County chapters of the Pagans, the vice-president of the Elizabeth chapter and the sergeant at arms, or the enforcer, for various other chapters. Dorazo, also known as Cage, was not charged in the assault. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. Over the last year, federal authorities have charged at least 10 Pagan members in New Jersey with a number of crimes, including for their alleged roles in shootings and drug distribution.. Investigators say there are currently chapters in Philadelphia, South Jersey, Bucks and Delaware counties. Unlike other motorcycle clubs, the Pagans dont have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church.. Through the investigation, law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of methamphetamine. 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 clubs. The neighborhood was put in lockdown during the search, with residents instructed to stay inside for about four hours. It alleges another Pagan,Nicholas Booch Bucciarelli of Brooklawn, then entered the clubhouse, struck the victim with an ax handle and pointed a gun at the man. In a separate case, a federal grand jury returned an indictment on Monday, charging Nicholas Bucciarelli, 56, of Brooklawn, with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. 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. "In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain expressed permission from the copyright owner. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. The Bay Shore, New York, resident was a passenger in a GMC that left the party around 11 p.m. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com, Wall dispatcher acquitted when top cop's aide admits affair with Pagan head, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and was released in 2012. Make sure you have subscribed to our Facebook page or Twitter to stay tuned! The charge against Richter came about after authorities were tipped off by someone that Richter was in possession of a loaded Ruger P345 .45-caliber handgun during a party for the club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Feb. 20, according to the criminal complaint. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. They have added 30 chapters in the past year, Torres said. We believe this corresponds with a fair use of any such copyrighted material (referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law). Mr. Many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club, prosecutors say. The gang currently has 17 chapters across the state, up from 10 in 2016, according to the SCI. FAX: 609-989-2275. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. There are more Latino members of the group in North Jersey than elsewhere. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. The Pagans are now taking in members from street gangs like the Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Crips and the Netas. Keith "Conan" Richter, the former president of the Pagan's motorcycle club, pictured in 2018 at an event 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. Here's the latest for Monday January 31: UN Security Council to discuss Russia-Ukraine; North Korea conducts missile test; Multi-vehicle accident near Las Vegas kills 9; Protests in Canadian capital could continue into the week. Count Three carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. They have 30 chapters in 12 states, according to a recent N.J. State Commission of Investigation report on the biker world. It was. DeRonde, 56, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half 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 rise in Pagan membership in New Jersey,first reported by NJ Advance Mediain May 2018, is indicative of a broader national effort by reputed Pagan President Keith Conan Richter to beef up numbers along the East Coast, officials said. Bucciarelli, who is the sergeant at arms of the Camden County Chapter, could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of the brandishing a firearm charge. Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227
Members conduct active "counter surveillance" of law enforcement, using drones and plainclothes Pagan members to search for undercover law enforcement officers at events. The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs in routine crime investigations. View More Reports -> 50 West State St. 14th Floor P.O. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and Anthony. 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. All rights reserved, NYC to Pay George Floyd Protesters Millions in Monster NYPD Kettling' Settlement, Winter Storm May Bring More NYC Snow Friday and a Complex Mess to Millions: What to Expect, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside, 4 Ferraris Stolen on Long Island in Service Center Heist, Kylie Jenner's Ex, Rapper Travis Scott, Wanted in $12,000 Manhattan Nightclub Mayhem. 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. Luis Arocho, aka "LuRoc," 43, of Keansburg, New Jersey, and Maurice Guzman, aka "Dawg," 51, of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count of aggravated . In recent years, the group has spread into more northern areas of the state, with a large presence in Elizabeth. Nieves and the members refused to answer any questions from the SCI commissioners, citing their Fifth Amendment rights. A lock ( It was at that moment it became clear who the man was dealing with: two members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. Among the hiearchy of women associated with the Pagans, the lowest are called "pets. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. The uptick in Pagan membership in New Jersey, first reported by NJ Advance Media in May 2018, is indicative of a broader national effort by reputed Pagan President Keith Conan Richter to beef up numbers along the East Coast, officials said. Estimates varied during testimony. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983
The Pagans beat him with a small bat and a wrench, officials said. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. 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. He made a series of turns, but couldnt shake them. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. The Pagans and the Hells Angels are known to be rival gangs. Lock There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. They're one of four major outlaw clubs. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the commissioners' questions. And Pagans areexpanding, moving out West, into Puerto Rico and states like Florida. 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 turf clash between the Pagans and Hells Angels has been well-documented over the years especially in northern New Jersey, where the Hells Angels have a clubhouse in Newark. Official websites use .gov A locked padlock U.S. District Court Judge Kevin McNulty sentenced Keith Conan Richter, 62, in federal court via videoconference after Richter pleaded guilty in July to being a felon in possession of a firearm after authorities discovered a loaded gun in a vehicle he was in during a traffic stop in Mercer County earlier this year. Police searched the vehicle and found a loaded Ruger P345 .45-caliber handgun underneath the cupholder of the center console, authorities said. The Pagan's Motorcycle Club still rides, wreaks havoc at Jersey Shore. The Pagans are run like a business and are organized as such. Nieves made one statement, saying"All I will say is it is not the policy of this club for anybody to engage in any criminal activity.". 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. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. 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 and Explosives,according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the club's activities. Richter and the passenger were not detained at the time, but Richter was later arrested by an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which identified him in the criminal complaint as the national president of the Pagans. ", RELATED: Wall dispatcher acquitted when top cop's aide admits affair with Pagan head. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. New video shows bar attack allegedly at the hand of Pagans Motorcycle Club members The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The cache included an AR-15 style ghost gun, a shotgun, and almost 1,800 rounds of ammunition, according to the federal prosecutor's office, which describes the Pagans as an "outlaw motorcycle gang. They are among 11 members of the outlaw motorcycle gang who have recently been charged with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. Our journalism needs your support. Dorazo was initially being held on the federal gun charge, according to court documents, but a judge released him in December 2020 on a $100,000 unsecured appearance bond, home incarceration with location monitoring and other restrictions. Both Arocho and Guzman face 20 years in prison if convicted. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these clubs in routine crime investigations. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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 is not the policy of this club to engage in any criminal activity, and thats all I will say about that, he said. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. He didnt think anything of it when he exited the highway, but soon realized he was being tailed by a motorcycle and a car. 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. 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. Now there are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. 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. Richter was not present at the hearing. The Pagans formed in Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1959. Keith Richter, known as Conan, was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. ", 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.". 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. 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. In New Jersey, Pagans membership which has always been strong in South Jersey has grown at an alarming rate in recent years, with 200 members in 17 chapters. 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. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. These charges relate to an alleged April 2018 encounter during which they beat an associate of the Hells Angels, a rival motorcycle club, and the victim sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs. U.S. District Court Judge Noel L. Hillman has scheduled sentencing for Dorazo on April 4. Each man agreed to surrender his interest in two baseball bats and six ax handles seized in September 2020. The Pagans have also started recruiting members from traditional street gangs, like the Bloods, Crips and the Latin Kings, officials said. 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 official website of the United States government. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. 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. The federal prosecutors office alleges Marino and DAlessandro were the president and sergeant at arms, respectively, for the Pagans chapter in Gloucester County chapter. DEPTFORD, NJ - A Pagan's Motorcycle Club member, an outlaw biker gang who was out of federal prison awaiting trial for firearms charges has been charged with attempted homicide. Of methamphetamine in 1959 with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page or to. 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