The report said law enforcement agencies estimate the club has about 200 members in New Jersey . Find NJ.com on Facebook. There are more Latino members of the group in North Jersey than elsewhere. There are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. According to Honig, "that includes the national president, a member of the Pagans Mother Club, which is a national organization that oversees its operations, the president of presidents in New Jersey, the presidents of the Jersey City and Gloucester County chapters of the Pagans, the vice-president of the Elizabeth chapter and the sergeant at arms, or the enforcer, for various other chapters. The victim eventually was allowed to leave the clubhouse. 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. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. The Pagans are run like a business and are organized as such. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Hammer did not rule on bail Friday, and continued the hearing until Monday. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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 Pagans which started in Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1959 has swelled to more than 1,300 members across at least 12 states, experts said. 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. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter, prosecutors said. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Please subscribe today to NJ.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. as one of four major outlaw motorcycle gangs. The Pagan's Motorcycle Club still rides, wreaks havoc at Jersey Shore. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. Arocho and Guzman are both high-ranking leaders in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged. 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. The two groups are locked in a violent struggle for control of New Jersey, investigators said. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. They are among 11 members of the outlaw motorcycle gang who have recently been charged with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s, spreading to neighboring states. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. The neighborhood was put in lockdown during the search, with residents instructed to stay inside for about four hours. 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. 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. 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). Richter has remained in a New Jersey jail since he was arrested. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Jul 2019. 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. (Authorities said they seized them.). 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. And whenit comes to evading detection, they're getting better. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. 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.. Now there are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. 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. Hugo Zorro Nieves, who authorities said they believe is the vice president of the Pagans, is based in New Jersey. Three reputed Pagan leaderssubpoenaed to testify asserted their Fifth Amendment rightsand did not answer questions. Nieves and the members refused to answer any questions from the SCI commissioners, citing their Fifth Amendment rights. Approximately one week later Aquino and Ortiz shot at an associate of the Hells Angels on the New Jersey Turnpike in retaliation for the Verona assault. I commend the hard work and dedication of all the agencies involved.. Rutgers Newark Staff Say Theyre Fed Up With Contract Negotiations, Bob Menendez Joins Student Loan Protesters Outside Supreme Court, Average Property Tax Bill In Newark Is Growing, Latest Data Shows, Hoboken's Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Video Shows NJ Mans Fatal Attempt To Run From Newark Police, NJ Marijuana Jobs: Tips For Getting Hired In The Cannabis Industry. The northern part of the state is where the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has shown dominance. The group's move into North Jersey is why the violence has increased, investigators said. 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. The most climactic moment came at the hearings end when three reputed leaders of the motorcycle club were called to testify. Most updated Motorcycle community news from all the World, Motorcycle Clubs news, 1%er news. 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. Aquino was also indicted for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Our journalism needs your support. In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence.. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. 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. For more on crime in New Jersey, scroll to the video above. 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. One was Hugo Nieves, also known as "Zorro," a New Jersey resident believed to be national vice president of the Pagans, according to testimony. Whether its ticket-fixing judges, police misconduct, orLittle League officials' questionable finances, we're here for you. Unlike other motorcycle clubs, the Pagans dont have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called church.. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. In recent years, the group has spread into more northern areas of the state, with a large presence in Elizabeth. 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. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. Many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club, prosecutors say. Ferdinand Augello, left, and Paul Pagano, right, wait, via video, for their first court appearance to begin at the Atlantic . 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. The charges against Bucciarelli are only allegations. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s and spread to neighboring states. 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. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. 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.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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). He later gave another $4,000 to Dorazo after being told the Pagans were unhappy with the purported gun sale, the complaint says. Pagans MC: Glen Turner - The Shooting Of A NJ State Trooper (1982-83) MOBFAX 71.5K subscribers Subscribe 471 34K views 4 months ago Pagans MC: Glen Turner - The Shooting Of New Jersey. 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. 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). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. 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. 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. Torres said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members in New Jersey. 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. The SCI report warned that the growth of the biker gang could lead to more violent clashes with innocent people. 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. Camden:856-757-5026 YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these clubs in routine crime investigations. The two groups are locked in a violent struggle for control of New Jersey, investigators said. 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. Significantly, many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club. 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. An alleged member of the Pagan's motorcycle club who was charged with attempted murder earlier this year is set to plead guilty to a federal charge related to having an associate of the outlaw. Violence has risen since a change in national leadership in 2018 when Keith "Conan" Richter took over as president, according to testimony. It should also share information among agencies to identify larger trends, the report said. Count One carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. All rights reserved (About Us). Attorney information for Bucciarelli was not immediately known. Do you know who we are? the Pagans yelled at the man, according to a police report. 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. 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. Nicholas "Lefty" Marino, 76, and Anthony. Under the control of Richter, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller, local motorcycle clubs to increase membership, officials said. Larry Ortiz, 31, of Elizabeth, and Junius Aquino, 38, of Vauxhall, were charged with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for their roles in a gang-related shooting, authorities said. "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. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a question about Government Services? NEWARK, NJ More members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club have been arrested in New Jersey, as a violent, long-running "rivalry" with the Hells Angels continues, federal prosecutors said. Marino also agreed to surrender his interest in one gun, while DAlessando is to forfeit ownership of 11 weapons, their agreements say. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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 . 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** Please subscribe today to NJ.com. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. Support local journalism with a subscription. 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. It was. The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. 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. 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. In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. The resurgence and expansion of the group has made it easier to wear Pagan colors, he said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Then in May, a federal judge lifted the home incarceration and allowed Dorazo to look for employment, according to court documents. 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