OFF THE WIRE
Jim Kouri - Public Safety Examiner
The Outlaws motorcycle gang is a highly organized criminal enterprise with a defined, multi-level chain of command.
Under Rosga’s leadership, the enterprise is alleged to have engaged in violent racketeering activities with the intent to expand its influence and to control various parts of the country against rival motorcycle gangs, particularly the Hell’s Angels.
The national president and three members of the American Outlaw Association (Outlaws) motorcycle gang were found guilty of participating in a violent criminal organization by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on Tuesday.
“[Tuesday's12-21-2010] conviction of the Outlaw’s national president strikes a crippling blow to his violent motorcycle gang,” said U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride. “Riding a Harley doesn’t make you a criminal -- but you cross the line when your motorcycle gang engages in violent criminal activity as a way of doing business. Virginia is a safe place today because ATF agents put their lives on the line to bring this case. Thanks to their sacrifice, the leadership of this gang has been brought to justice, along with the enforcers who carried out his orders.”
The jury found Jack Rosga, aka “Milwaukee Jack,” 53, guilty of conspiring to engage in racketeering activities and conspiring to commit violence in the aid of racketeering. Rosga is the national president of the Outlaws organization and is also a member of the Gold Region, Milwaukee Chapter. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the racketeering charge and a maximum of three years in prison for the violence charge.
The other members of the Outlaws who were convicted today include:
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Mark Jason Fiel, aka “Jason,” 37, a former Outlaws member in the Copper Region and a former leader in the Manassas/Shenandoah Valley Chapter. Fiel was convicted of conspiring to engage in racketeering activities and conspiring to commit violence in aid of racketeering.
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Harry Rhyne McCall, 53, an Outlaws member in the Copper Region, Lexington, N.C., Chapter. McCall was convicted of conspiring to engage in racketeering activities, conspiring to commit violence in aid of racketeering, violence in aid of racketeering, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence. The violence in aid of racketeering charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while the firearm charge carries a consecutive sentence of five years up to life in prison.
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Christopher Timbers, aka “Alibi,” 38, an Outlaws member in the Manassas/Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the Copper Region. Timbers was convicted of conspiring to engage in racketeering activities, conspiring to commit violence in aid of racketeering, and violence in aid of racketeering. Timbers was acquitted of one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Also today, Dennis Haldermann, aka “Chew Chew,” 46, a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club from Chesterfield, Virginia, was acquitted of a violence in aid of racketeering charge.
Evidence at trial showed that the Outlaws motorcycle gang is a highly organized criminal enterprise with a defined, multi-level chain of command that is ultimately overseen by Rosga, the national president. Leaders and members of the Outlaws in multiple states including Wisconsin, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia are charged in a June 2010 indictment. Under Rosga’s leadership, the enterprise is alleged to have engaged in violent racketeering activities with the intent to expand its influence and to control various parts of the country against rival motorcycle gangs, particularly the Hell’s Angels.
According to evidence at trial, the Outlaws planned multiple acts of violence against rival motorcycle gangs, including shows of force at the Cycle Expo in Henrico County, Virginia, in 2006; Dinwiddie Racetrack in Virginia in 2008; the Cockades Bar in Petersburg, Virginia, in 2009; Daytona Bike Week in Florida in 2009; and the Easyrider Bike Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2010. The indictment alleges that in the Cockades Bar show of force, members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club joined the Outlaws in the assault against rival gangs.
In addition, the evidence at trial showed that in 2008, the Outlaws established a clubhouse in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in territory traditionally controlled by the Hell’s Angels. The Outlaws understood that this act would create violent friction between the two organizations.
Evidence at trial also established that in September 2009, two members of the Outlaws were assaulted in Connecticut by members of the Hell’s Angels. This caused the Outlaws to increase their already violent approach to the Hell’s Angels in retaliation.
In October 2009, this led to the alleged attempted murder of a Hell’s Angels member outside the Hell’s Angels’ clubhouse in Canaan, Maine. The victim was seriously injured from gunshot wounds to his neck.
In addition, the evidence showed that on April 17, 2010, Outlaw members of the Milwaukee and other Wisconsin chapters in the Gold Region, participated in a charitable event known as the Flood Run, crossing from Wisconsin into Minnesota where they brutally beat members of the Hell’s Angels and stole their club patches, also known as “colors.”
Witnesses at the trial also testified that the Outlaws regularly used and distributed narcotics and regularly used firearms or other dangers weapons.
The four men convicted today are among 27 individuals indicted in June 2010 as a result of a long-term investigation into criminal activities of the Outlaws motorcycle gang. To date, 17 of those indicted have pleaded guilty and one was previously convicted in an earlier trial.
Sentencing for Rosga, Fiel, McCall and Timbers is scheduled for April 8, 2011.
