Keith "Conan" Richter, the former president of the Pagan's motorcycle club, pictured in 2018 at an event in New Jersey. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and was released in 2012. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited a joint task force comprised of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; the Union County Prosecutors Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to these charges. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. District of New Jersey 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. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched and kicked by the Pagans assailants, causing significant injuries.. 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 club also extorts business owners and relies on members to pay monthly dues of $100, the commission said. As the Long Island resident was traveling back to his home, New Jersey authorities pulled over the vehicle Richter was in. Members conduct active "counter surveillance" of law enforcement, using drones and plainclothes Pagan members to search for undercover law enforcement officers at events. High-ranking members of the outlaw Pagans Motorcycle Club, including those in New Jersey chapters, were indicted on various crimes, federal prosecutors announced Monday. 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.. 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. "They want to take over the entire East Coast," Torres said. 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. 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. Count Four carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. Richter has remained in a New Jersey jail since he was arrested. Under the control of Richter, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller, local motorcycle groups to increase membership, officials said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 970 Broad Street, 7th Floor 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. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. An inside look at the Pagans MC and the threat it poses in N.J. Ex-bikie Ben Geppert arrested again in NSW, Sturgis biker rally may have led to 260,000 new COVID-19 cases: study, DMCA Notice of Alleged Infringement and delivering it to our Designated Copyright Agent. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. 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. CAMDEN Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. View More Reports -> 50 West State St. 14th Floor P.O. 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 of the Pagans motorcycle club in New Jersey was the focus of an investigation conducted by the State Commission of Investigation, an independent state watchdog group formed in the late 1960s to investigate public corruption and organized crime. [ We look out for you, your wallet and your quality of life. [ Stay up-to-date on this story by downloading the Asbury Park Press app. He didnt think anything of it when he exited the highway, but soon realized he was being tailed by a motorcycle and a car. Lock 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. 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. Glen Turner, 73, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Members useWhatsApp, a communication app, and encrypted devicesthat keeps law enforcement from tappingphone calls. Guzman is the President of Presidents of the New Jersey chapter, according to prosecutors. Eleven Members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club Charged Drug Enforcement Administration Daniel J. Kafafian, Acting Special Agent in Charge New Jersey @DEANewJerseyDiv June 28, 2021 Contact: Timothy P. McMahon Phone Number: (571) 776-1150 For Immediate Release Eleven Members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club Charged A former Pagan chapter president in South Jersey is currently serving a life prison sentence for orchestrating the 2012 murder-for-hire plot of April Kauffman, a well-known radio personality in the Atlantic City area. On Dec. 10, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Turners residence and recovered about 450 grams of methamphetamine, authorities said. It alleges the assault occurred after the man arrived for a meeting at a clubhouse onMarino's property in Williamstown. "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. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and. 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. He made a series of turns, but couldnt shake them. The commission investigated the group because of an "alarming shift" in the way the Pagans are doing business, which gang investigators have not seenbefore,Torres said. Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. 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. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. The Bay Shore, New York, resident was a passenger in a GMC that left the party around 11 p.m. Whether its ticket-fixing judges, police misconduct, orLittle League officials' questionable finances, we're here for you. New video shows bar attack allegedly at the hand of Pagans Motorcycle Club members The federal charge against Dorazo came as the U.S. Attorneys Office of New Jersey has put an emphasis on investigating the Pagans, an organization that has expanded rapidly in the state recently and has allegedly been responsible for brutal assaults, drive-by shootings and distributing drugs across the state. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. According to documents filed and statements made in court: On Oct. 21, 2020, Aquino visited a bar in Verona, New Jersey, with other members of the Pagans. The most climactic moment came at the hearings end when three reputed leaders of the motorcycle club were called to testify. 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. Box 045 Trenton, NJ 08625-0045 Tel (609) 292-6767 Fax (609) 633-7366 If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Our journalism needs your support. The victim allowed investigators to seize the weapons without the Pagans knowledge. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership 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 clubs. Torres said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members in New Jersey. ", Also: Camden man fatally shot in Fairview home, More: Andrew Kramer charged with murder of Melissa Malcolm in Mount Laurel. Over the last year federal authorities have been aggressive in investigating the Pagans, as they rapidly expanded in New Jersey under Richters leadership. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. When Aquino and his associates exited the bar, a group of individuals approached and assaulted them with baseball bats. NEWARK, N.J. - Two high-ranking members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club were indicted today for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, narcotics distribution, and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. 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 gangs in the country. The club distributes drugs in cells within chapters to keep tight control of the of the information. In 2018, Pagan Robert DeRonde, known as Hellboy, brutally beat an associate of the Hells Angels with a baseball bat at a gas station near the Newark clubhouse. The northern part of the state is where the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has shown dominance. The Pagans in New Jersey have been under fire from federal authorities in the past year with 11 members being charged in a variety of cases, some involving violence committed against other Outlaw Motorcycle clubs and their own associates. 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 Pagans and the Hells Angels are known to be rival gangs. 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. Unlike other motorcycle gangs, the Pagans dont have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church.. The outlaw motorcycle club has a clubhouse in Newark. And whenit comes to evading detection, they're getting better. 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. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. High-ranking members of the outlaw Pagans Motorcycle Club, including those in New Jersey chapters, were indicted on various crimes, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Those charges remain pending. A member of the Pagans motorcycle club is seen at the funeral of a fellow biker.EXT. 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. NEWARK, N.J. - Two high-ranking members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club were arrested today for assault in aid of racketeering, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, increasing membership in all corners of the state. NEWARK Federal agents Monday arrested two high-ranking members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club from New Jersey for assault in aid of racketeering as part of a long-running investigation into Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: New Jersey's SPCAs 17 Years Later. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Now there are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst on crime, corruption and terrorism. The Pagans are run like a business and are organized as such. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Arocho and Guzman are both high-ranking leaders in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged. Three reputed Pagan leaderssubpoenaed to testify asserted their Fifth Amendment rightsand did not answer questions. 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. 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 group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s, spreading to neighboring states. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. Pagans Motorcycle Club incident that rocked New Jersey September 8, 2021 Pagans Motorcycle Club incident that rocked New Jersey Pagan's Motorcycle Club Causing Panic in Missouri OUTLAWS MC DESERVED THIS 100% *VIDEO* EP 934 Official Statement From The Grim Reapers MC Concerning Bust **FULL AUDIO** 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 another incident, a man was in a bar in Elizabeth a city dominated by the Pagans when he started talking to a female bartender. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. The Pagans are now taking in members from street gangs like the Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Crips and the Netas. I commend the hard work and dedication of all the agencies involved.. 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