The Pagans were founded in the 1960s out of Maryland. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Pagans Motorcycle Club merchandise on display at a State Commission of Investigation public hearing on Oct. 23, 2019.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. 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. According to a criminal complaint, law enforcement learned during the party that Richter had a gun. Attorney information for Bucciarelli was not immediately known. 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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. "Despitethesometimesroughappearanceoftheseguys,theyarenotatall unsophisticatedwhenitcomestounderminingandfrustratinglawenforcement," said Lee Seglem, executive directorofthe commission, in his opening statement. On Dec. 10, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Turners residence and recovered about 450 grams of methamphetamine, authorities said. 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. ]. The crimes were committed for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Pagans' Motorcycle Club, according to plea agreements. Female clerks and staff in police departments and other law enforcement offices and in the courts who are linked to the Pagans have compromised investigations and passed along confidential information to the group. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The most climactic moment came at the hearings end when three reputed leaders of the motorcycle club were called to testify. "Pets are women who are shared sexually among the group," said Nicole McCann, investigative analyst for the commission. He later gave another $4,000 to Dorazo after being told the Pagans were unhappy with the purported gun sale, the complaint says. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. The Bay Shore, New York, resident was a passenger in a GMC that left the party around 11 p.m. 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. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. The group is also able to thwart law enforcement by utilizing encrypted cellphone apps and counter-surveillance efforts, including flying a drone at a large gathering of Pagans at Wildwoods Roar to the Shore event. 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. Our journalism needs your support. In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. 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. 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.". Dozaro was eventually found by police in the neighborhood. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. Pagans continue to distribute methamphetamine but are getting away from manufacturing it, relying more on "super labs" in Mexico. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. It should also share information among agencies to identify larger trends, the report said. He didnt think anything of it when he exited the highway, but soon realized he was being tailed by a motorcycle and a car. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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 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. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Dorazo, also known as Cage, was not charged in the assault. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. Box 045 Trenton, NJ 08625-0045 Tel (609) 292-6767 Fax (609) 633-7366 He has not been convicted of any crimes in this case. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter. All rights reserved (About Us). FAX: 609-989-2275. Richter was not present at the hearing. The SCI report warned that the growth of the biker gang could lead to more violent clashes with innocent people. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s, spreading to neighboring states. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. The Pagans formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. This website may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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. 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. 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 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. The Pagans are now taking in members from street gangs like the Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Crips and the Netas. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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). For more on crime in New Jersey, scroll to the video above. 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. 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. Many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club, prosecutors say. Recruitment has become much less selective, with people joining for $500 to $1,000 instead of going through a lengthy trial period as a "prospect.". Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: New Jersey's SPCAs 17 Years Later. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. It is not the policy of this club to engage in any criminal activity, and thats all I will say about that, he said. The two groups are locked in a violent struggle for control of New Jersey, investigators said. They have 30 chapters in 12 states, according to a recent N.J. State Commission of Investigation report on the biker world. When Richter took control of the club in 2018, his main mission was to expand its membership across the country, authorities said, which eventually put a target on the motorcycle club. ", RELATED: Wall dispatcher acquitted when top cop's aide admits affair with Pagan head. 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. The Pagans have established membership chapters in numerous states and U.S. territories, including multiple active chapters in New Jersey. 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. 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 actual tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the report said. 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. And whenit comes to evading detection, they're getting better. Our journalism needs your support. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Do you know who we are? the Pagans yelled at the man, according to a police report. as one of four major outlaw motorcycle gangs. The group now has 900 members in 12 states, he said. They have added 30 chapters in the past year, Torres said. 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. Law enforcement officials also previously arrested several other people in connection with the investigation, prosecutors said. NEWARK, N.J. Two high-ranking members of the Pagans 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. He was cruising on his motorcycle on Route 1 in Elizabeth when he passed two other drivers on the right of the multi-lane roadway in June 2019. 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. Of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and youtubes terms of is. 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