OFF THE WIRE
The Outlaws motorcycle gang’s clubhouse at 9 Hunt St. in Brockton is protected by guard dogs, padlocks on the doors and cameras. This photo was taken in August 2007.
BOSTON —
Brockton, Taunton and Scituate police received kudos for their work busting local chapters of the Outlaws motorcycle gang for dealing drugs in the region.
U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz recognized the local police departments for their help in federal prosecutions concluded in 2011.
The three departments were involved in a two-year undercover investigation of the motorcycle gang that resulted in the arrest in 2007 of 15 people, including the former president of the Taunton chapter, on federal gun and drug trafficking charges.
Prosecutors described the Outlaws as a violent gang with 90 chapters worldwide, including Taunton and Brockton. The gang was the primary rival of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang and were thought to be responsible for the fatal shooting in April 2006 of the president of a Hells Angels chapter in Connecticut.
The investigation dubbed “Operation Roadkill” led to a 21-year prison sentence for the former president of the Brockton chapter of the Outlaws, Timothy Silvia, 46, of Brockton, and a 10-year sentence for Todd Donofrio, 41, of Stoughton, a gang member. Several other Outlaws were sent to prison for dealing drugs including cocaine and marijuana and for witness intimidation.
A task force of FBI agents, State Police and Brockton and Taunton police officers raided the Outlaws’ Taunton clubhouse in July 2007 and seized 17 guns, 116 grams of cocaine and $100,000 in cash, prosecutors said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Insurance Crime Bureau were also involved with the investigation and prosecutions.
The local police officers were honored at the annual Law Enforcement Public Service Awards Ceremony on Wednesday at the U.S. District Courthouse in Boston. A total of 132 federal, state, and local local law enforcement officials and agencies, two bank security staffs, and an accelerant detection dog were honored.
Ortiz said the focus of the ceremony isn’t on the type of case prosecuted, but “on the investigative work, the challenges overcome and the collaborative efforts that were involved during the pursuit of justice. All of the recipients serve a vitally important purpose in ensuring there is justice for the victims.”
U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz recognized the local police departments for their help in federal prosecutions concluded in 2011.
The three departments were involved in a two-year undercover investigation of the motorcycle gang that resulted in the arrest in 2007 of 15 people, including the former president of the Taunton chapter, on federal gun and drug trafficking charges.
Prosecutors described the Outlaws as a violent gang with 90 chapters worldwide, including Taunton and Brockton. The gang was the primary rival of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang and were thought to be responsible for the fatal shooting in April 2006 of the president of a Hells Angels chapter in Connecticut.
The investigation dubbed “Operation Roadkill” led to a 21-year prison sentence for the former president of the Brockton chapter of the Outlaws, Timothy Silvia, 46, of Brockton, and a 10-year sentence for Todd Donofrio, 41, of Stoughton, a gang member. Several other Outlaws were sent to prison for dealing drugs including cocaine and marijuana and for witness intimidation.
A task force of FBI agents, State Police and Brockton and Taunton police officers raided the Outlaws’ Taunton clubhouse in July 2007 and seized 17 guns, 116 grams of cocaine and $100,000 in cash, prosecutors said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Insurance Crime Bureau were also involved with the investigation and prosecutions.
The local police officers were honored at the annual Law Enforcement Public Service Awards Ceremony on Wednesday at the U.S. District Courthouse in Boston. A total of 132 federal, state, and local local law enforcement officials and agencies, two bank security staffs, and an accelerant detection dog were honored.
Ortiz said the focus of the ceremony isn’t on the type of case prosecuted, but “on the investigative work, the challenges overcome and the collaborative efforts that were involved during the pursuit of justice. All of the recipients serve a vitally important purpose in ensuring there is justice for the victims.”
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x1440917527/Brockton-Taunton-cops-lauded-for-help-taking-down-drug-gang#ixzz1qZBuiQjo
