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. The group has expandedfrom 10 chapters to 17in New Jersey in the past few years, and is moving into the northern part of the statefrom their traditional South Jersey stronghold,said Edwin Torres, an investigator for the commission and president of the East Coast Gang Investigators Association. The charges against Bucciarelli are only allegations. Stay with APP.com or consider a subscription today. A locked padlock In recent years, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller motorcycle gangs at an alarming rate, officials said. "In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Aquino was also charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (Count Three) and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (Count Four), and Ortiz was also charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Count Five) and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count Six). Dorazo has been charged with attempted murder, burglary during an attempted murder, domestic violence incident and weapons charges. The club distributes drugs in cells within chapters to keep tight control of the of the information. And Pagans areexpanding, moving out West, into Puerto Rico and states like Florida. 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. The federal prosecutors office alleges Marino and DAlessandro were the president and sergeant at arms, respectively, for the Pagans chapter in Gloucester County chapter. ]. 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. They have added 30 chapters in the past year, Torres said. 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. As the Long Island resident was traveling back to his home, New Jersey authorities pulled over the vehicle Richter was in. FAX: 856-968-4917 Prosecutors allege that Arocho, Guzman, and other associates of the Pagans brutally assaulted an associate of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club at a gas station in Newark in April 2018. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. 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. 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. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. 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. 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. Hugo Zorro Nieves, who authorities said they believe is the vice president of the Pagans, is based in New Jersey. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission 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. Over the last year federal authorities have been aggressive in investigating the Pagans, as they rapidly expanded in New Jersey under Richters leadership. They're one of four major outlaw clubs. Richter has remained in a New Jersey jail since he was arrested. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. 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. 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. Among the hiearchy of women associated with the Pagans, the lowest are called "pets. Attorney information for Bucciarelli was not immediately known. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He has previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including burglary and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, meaning he cannot legally posses a firearm. The Pagans have also started recruiting members from traditional street gangs, like the Bloods, Crips and the Latin Kings, officials said. Jul 2019. This is a serious matter that requires immediate attention from the larger policing community, the report said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs in routine crime investigations. In recent years, the group has spread into more northern areas of the state, with a large presence in Elizabeth. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Law enforcement considers the Pagans, founded in 1959 as a fellowship of 13 motorcyclists in Maryland, to be among the largest and most violent outlaw motorcycle clubs in the country, according. Attorney information for the two was not immediately known. The northern part of the state is where the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has shown dominance. 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. Box 045 Trenton, NJ 08625-0045 Tel (609) 292-6767 Fax (609) 633-7366 Unlike the Hells Angels, the Pagans dont have clubhouses, and instead have weekly meetings in different locations. One of the more disturbing elements of the investigation, the commission said, is that sensitive law enforcement information regarding the Pagans has been leaked to members of the club. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. New video shows bar attack allegedly at the hand of Pagans Motorcycle Club members Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Main Office: They have 30 chapters in 12 states, according to a recent N.J. State Commission of Investigation report on the biker world. 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. 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). 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. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. 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. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700 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.". There are at least 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials have said. 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.. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. as one of four major outlaw motorcycle gangs. Marino and DAlessandro pleaded guilty at separate hearings in Camden federal court on Jan. 24 and Jan. 27. Support local journalism with a subscription. The former national president of the Pagans motorcycle club, who led a massive expansion of the outlaw organization in New Jersey, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison Thursday. DeRonde, 56, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. For more on crime in New Jersey, scroll to the video above. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s and spread to neighboring states. "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. 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 agency also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. 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. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. "Contrary to popular belief, what you may see in the media of guys just hanging out partying and drinking and a bunch of fellows having a good time, this is a well-run organization and a criminal enterprise by no other terms. 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. 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. This is a serious matter that requires immediate attention from the larger policing community, the report said. "Pets are women who are shared sexually among the group," said Nicole McCann, investigative analyst for the commission. There has been an. 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. Pagan motorcycle club paraphernalia on display at a New Jersey State Commission of Investigation public hearing in Trenton in October 2019. In 2020, the group issued a 20-page report exposing in exhaustive detail how the Pagans have doubled in size in New Jersey, with more than 200 members spread across 17 chapters in the state. Many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club, prosecutors say. The ex-national prez of Pagans MC Keith Conan Richter has pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge. He took steps to deploy a handgun towards officers, but was tackled and arrested, police said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. 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. The neighborhood was put in lockdown during the search, with residents instructed to stay inside for about four hours. District of New Jersey Aquino was also indicted for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. 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. It was. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. Estimates varied during testimony. And Pagans are expanding, moving out West, into . 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.. CAMDEN Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. He made a series of turns, but couldnt shake them. 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. The Pagans are run like a business and are organized as such. Keith "Conan" Richter, the former president of the Pagan's motorcycle club, pictured in 2018 at an event in New Jersey. View More Reports -> 50 West State St. 14th Floor P.O. The Pagans formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half of New Jersey. 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. One was Hugo Nieves, also known as "Zorro," a New Jersey resident believed to be national vice president of the Pagans, according to testimony. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 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. Glen Turner, 73, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Est. He also thanked the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacomo Sacca, for its assistance with this investigation. 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. Women are considered property and rank lower than dogs in the order of importance to the group. Members of the Pagans became enraged with the informant, who authorities said was an associate of the motorcycle club, when the person told the club he sold the Pagans firearms. 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. 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.. 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. Our journalism needs your support. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Its unclear how the arrest of Richter will impact the group. Richter and prosecutors agreed on the sentence as part of the plea deal, according to court documents. The Bay Shore, New York, resident was a passenger in a GMC that left the party around 11 p.m. At the SCI hearing in 2019, Nieves was called to testify, along with other high-ranking members of the Pagans. 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. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. The Pagan's Motorcycle Club has recruited disgraced or retired law enforcement officers and even a former municipal court judge in New Jersey. 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 I commend the hard work and dedication of all the agencies involved.. 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 club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. The report was issued following a lengthy investigation focused on the Pagans, which has been identified by the F.B.I. ", Also: Camden man fatally shot in Fairview home, More: Andrew Kramer charged with murder of Melissa Malcolm in Mount Laurel. NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) -- Two top members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club are facing federal assault charges in the U.S. Department of Justice's crackdown on the outlaw gang, authorities say. Bucciarelli was also indicted for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine, prosecutors added. Then in May, a federal judge lifted the home incarceration and allowed Dorazo to look for employment, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Turner is a long-time member of the Pagans. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and Anthony. Three reputed Pagan leaderssubpoenaed to testify asserted their Fifth Amendment rightsand did not answer questions. Dark-skinned Latinos are welcome but not black men, Torres said. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the commissioners' questions. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Rachael A. 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 hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. The crimes were committed for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Pagans' Motorcycle Club, according to plea agreements. These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. It was at that moment it became clear who the man was dealing with: two members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. That violence has included an uptick inattacks against civilians, attempted murders against other members, a murder-for-hire scheme that was carried out in South Jersey and other crimes. It is unclear why Richter was not arrested during the traffic stop. 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. 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. Investigators say there are currently chapters in Philadelphia, South Jersey, Bucks and Delaware counties. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The victim was ordered to call the buyer of the guns, who was actually a federal investigator, and to request an update on the weapons, the complaint alleges. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. Ortiz was indicted for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. 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. After hearing gunshots ring out in the neighborhood, Deptford police officers rushed to the area and began a search for Michael F. Dorazo, 41, of Glendora. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. Each admitted to aiding and abetting in the assault of a victim with a dangerous weapon. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Alleged members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club appear with their attorney in an SCI public hearing. The bail hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. Police found the firearm underneath the cupholder of the center console, authorities said. The ammunition charge arises from a shooting that occurred in Elizabeth on Oct. 31, 2020, during which Aquino shot at an occupied vehicle. At the time of Aquinos arrest, he was the vice president of the Elizabeth membership chapter of the Pagans. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. 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 In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. He later gave another $4,000 to Dorazo after being told the Pagans were unhappy with the purported gun sale, the complaint says. 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. 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 group now has 900 members in 12 states, he said. Our journalism needs your support. 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. Lock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. "They want to take over the entire East Coast," Torres 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.