The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half of New Jersey. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Luis Arocho, 43, of Keansburg, and Maurice Guzman, 51, of Newark, were charged with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. It was. Richter personally possessed that gun, did not hide it from the numerous people that were there, Frazer 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. 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. It alleges the assault occurred after the man arrived for a meeting at a clubhouse onMarino's property in Williamstown. 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. 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. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter. 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. 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. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Dozaro was eventually found by police in the neighborhood. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. Hugo Zorro Nieves, who authorities said they believe is the vice president of the Pagans, is based in New Jersey. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Support local journalism with a subscription. 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. Ortiz was also charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. All rights reserved (About Us). Richter was previously convicted in 1998 when he was the national president of the Pagans, Frazer said, of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and two counts of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Multiple law enforcement officials told NJ Advance Media that Robert Big Bob Francis, of Virginia, has taken over as the national president of the Pagans. The Pagans and the Hells Angels are known to be rival gangs. District of New Jersey Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Rachael Honig announced two additional indictments, bringing the total of Pagans members facing crimes to 11 -- although the number may increase as the investigation continues. The victim eventually was allowed to leave the clubhouse. 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 The northern part of the state is where the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has shown dominance. He took steps to deploy a handgun towards officers, but was tackled and arrested, police said. This 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, the report states. Members useWhatsApp, a communication app, and encrypted devicesthat keeps law enforcement from tappingphone calls. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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. He didnt think anything of it when he exited the highway, but soon realized he was being tailed by a motorcycle and a car. Among the hiearchy of women associated with the Pagans, the lowest are called "pets. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The actual tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported, the report said. The resurgence and expansion of the group has made it easier to wear Pagan colors, he said. Arocho and Guzman are both high-ranking leaders in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Daniel Hooban, 33, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The agency also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs. Camden:856-757-5026 On Nov. 17, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ortizs residence and recovered approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. 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. Investigators say there are currently chapters in Philadelphia, South Jersey, Bucks and Delaware counties. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s, spreading to neighboring states. Est. 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. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched and kicked by the Pagans assailants, causing significant injuries.. Torres said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members in New Jersey. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. 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Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. 1:01 CAMDEN - Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. It is unclear why Richter was not arrested during the traffic stop. As the Long Island resident was traveling back to his home, New Jersey authorities pulled over the vehicle Richter was in. Our journalism needs your support. 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 Pagans have also started recruiting members from traditional street gangs, like the Bloods, Crips and the Latin Kings, officials said. 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. Dark-skinned Latinos are welcome but not black men, Torres said. The vehicle was stopped by police in East Windsor in Mercer County around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21. 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. The neighborhood was put in lockdown during the search, with residents instructed to stay inside for about four hours. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said during Ritchers first appearance in court Friday that the government has incontrovertible evidence that Richter possessed the firearm at the party. Joe Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, charged with attempted murder earlier this year, other influential leaders of the Pagans in South Jersey, has put an emphasis on investigating the Pagans. Its unclear how the arrest of Richter will impact the group. This is a serious matter that requires immediate attention from the larger policing community, the report said. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. Three reputed Pagan leaderssubpoenaed to testify asserted their Fifth Amendment rightsand did not answer questions. Count Two carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. The group now has 900 members in 12 states, he said. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. The club also extorts business owners and relies on members to pay monthly dues of $100, the commission said. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Alleged members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club appear with their attorney in an SCI public hearing. Our journalism needs your support. 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. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. In recent years, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller motorcycle gangs at an alarming rate, officials said. 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. Count Three carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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.". 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. 970 Broad Street, 7th Floor CAMDEN Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. ", 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.". The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and was released in 2012. New video shows bar attack allegedly at the hand of Pagans Motorcycle Club members Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Hundreds of Pagans showed up at Roar tothe Shore motorcycle event in Wildwood in September, what'sknown in the outlaw motorcycle club world as a "Pagan event.". Our journalism needs your support. U.S. District Court Judge Noel L. Hillman has scheduled sentencing for Dorazo on April 4. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. He later gave another $4,000 to Dorazo after being told the Pagans were unhappy with the purported gun sale, the complaint says. Attorney information for the two was not immediately known. 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. This Pagan resurgence especially the increased violence and other illegal acts that have accompanied it not only threatens the public peace and public safety of the citizens of New Jersey, it also presents significant challenges for those responsible for protecting it, the SCI report says. The charges against Bucciarelli are only allegations. more information Accept. 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. The gang currently has 17 chapters across the state, up from 10 in 2016, according to the SCI. In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. Chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst on crime, corruption and terrorism. The Pagans have established membership chapters in numerous states and U.S. territories, including multiple active chapters in New Jersey. Count Four carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. 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 are among 11 members of the outlaw motorcycle gang who have recently been charged with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. Sci report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, is in. 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