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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 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 club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. An axhandle is a weapon of choice among many Pagans. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. The ex-national prez of Pagans MC Keith Conan Richter has pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. It is unclear why Richter was not arrested during the traffic stop. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 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. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Women are considered property and rank lower than dogs in the order of importance to the group. NEWARK, NJ More members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club have been arrested in New Jersey, as a violent, long-running rivalry with the Hells Angels continues, federal prosecutors said Monday. ", 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.". Pagan's Motorcycle Club paraphernalia on display at a state Commission of Investigation Public Hearing on Oct. 23, 2019.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. One was Hugo Nieves, also known as "Zorro," a New Jersey resident believed to be national vice president of the Pagans, according to testimony. 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 vehicle was stopped by police in East Windsor in Mercer County around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21. 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** Dorazo, also known as Cage, was not charged in the assault. Our journalism needs your support. This story has been updated to reflect that Dorazos attorney declined to comment. 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. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Trenton:609-989-2190 Arocho and Guzman are both high-ranking leaders in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged. 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 SCI report warned that the growth of the biker gang could lead to more violent clashes with innocent people. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. The recent charges against Arocho, Guzman and Bucciarelli were filed as part of a multi-agency investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club, which has been accused of narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking and violent crimes, authorities said. All rights reserved (About Us). The Pagans beat him with a small bat and a wrench, officials said. He later gave another $4,000 to Dorazo after being told the Pagans were unhappy with the purported gun sale, the complaint says. 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. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Nieves and the members refused to answer any questions from the SCI commissioners, citing their Fifth Amendment rights. 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. Joe Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, led a massive expansion of the outlaw organization in New Jersey, discovered a loaded gun in a vehicle he was, charged at least 10 Pagan members in New Jersey. Those charges remain pending. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. Richter and prosecutors agreed on the sentence as part of the plea deal, according to court documents. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and Anthony. Richter has remained in a New Jersey jail since he was arrested. DeRonde, 56, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Law enforcement officials also previously arrested several other people in connection with the investigation, prosecutors said. We respect every Motorcycle Club that adheres to proper MC protocol. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. 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 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. The report was issued following a lengthy investigation focused on the Pagans, which has been identified by the F.B.I. 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). Richter, 62, attended a party in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around noon on Feb. 20. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The most climactic moment came at the hearings end when three reputed leaders of the motorcycle club were called to testify. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. The Pagans formed in Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1959. The two groups are locked in a violent struggle for control of New Jersey, investigators said. 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. Alleged members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club appear with their attorney in an SCI public hearing. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The victim eventually was allowed to leave the clubhouse. The most climactic moment came at the hearings end when three reputed leaders of the motorcycle club were called to testify. 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. 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. The crimes were committed for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Pagans' Motorcycle Club, according to plea agreements. 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. Count Three carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 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. The two groups are locked in a violent struggle for control of New Jersey, investigators said. "They're very well organized," Torres told the commission. [ We look out for you, your wallet and your quality of life. It should also share information among agencies to identify larger trends, the report said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Some of the details that came out of the hearingwere: Ken Serrano has covered breaking news and crime in New Jersey for the past 20 years. ]. 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. Public Hearing: Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs - The Pagans 'Organized Crime Spotlight' examines MS-13 in NJ . Over the last year federal authorities have been aggressive in investigating the Pagans, as they rapidly expanded in New Jersey under Richters leadership. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Now 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. Estimates varied during testimony. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. 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. The club also extorts business owners and relies on members to pay monthly dues of $100. 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. 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. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Nicholas Lefty Marino, 76, and Anthony Fugit DAlessandro, 55, were accused of assisting in an August 2020 attack at a Pagans clubhouse. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the councils questions. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the commissioners' questions. After being released, Richter eventually re-gained his position as national president of the Pagans Motorcycle Gang in 2018, Frazer said, overseeing a major expansion of the outlaw motorcycle gang on the East Coast. Chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst on crime, corruption and terrorism. The rise 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. The resurgence and expansion of the group has made it easier to wear Pagan colors, he said. Each man agreed to surrender his interest in two baseball bats and six ax handles seized in September 2020. 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. 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 club distributes drugs in cells within chapters to keep tight control of the of the information. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Dorazo, who was armed with two handguns and a high-capacity assault weapon, fled the scene, leading police on a multi-hour search, authorities said. An official website of the United States government. 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. Dark-skinned Latinos are welcome but not black men, Torres said. 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. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Each admitted to aiding and abetting in the assault of a victim with a dangerous weapon. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. Stay with APP.com or consider a subscription today. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and was released in 2012. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter, prosecutors said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. 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