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. 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. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the commissioners' questions. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. 970 Broad Street, 7th Floor Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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 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. The northern part of the state is where the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has shown dominance. ", RELATED: Wall dispatcher acquitted when top cop's aide admits affair with Pagan head. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. 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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). 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. Richter, 62, attended a party in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around noon on Feb. 20. The Pagans Motorcycle Club, as its officially called, formed in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1959. 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. Jul 2019. The Pagans are run like a business and are organized as such. The victim would file a police report, but quickly rescinded it, fearful of retaliation at the hands of one of the most dangerous outlaw motorcycle clubs in the country. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. Our journalism needs your support. The Pagans have also started recruiting light-skinned Latino members from traditional street gangs, like the Latin Kings, though they still prohibit Black people from joining their ranks. They have added 30 chapters in the past year, Torres said. "In New Jersey, its going to be hard to find a county where there isnt a Pagan presence. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Trenton:609-989-2190 By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. 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. 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). As the Long Island resident was traveling back to his home, New Jersey authorities pulled over the vehicle Richter was in. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a 1% patch on their jackets. The uptick 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. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said. 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. The commission investigated the group because of an "alarming shift" in the way the Pagans are doing business, which gang investigators have not seenbefore,Torres said. An axhandle is a weapon of choice among many Pagans. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. One was Hugo Nieves, also known as "Zorro," a New Jersey resident believed to be national vice president of the Pagans, according to testimony. The ex-national prez of Pagans MC Keith Conan Richter has pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge. These charges were filed as part of a multi-agency investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club an outlaw motorcycle gang known to engage in illegal activity, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crimes. While the Pagans have traditionally drawn members from white supremacist groups, the diversifying of the club has been a sharp turn that has angered older members. High-ranking members of the outlaw Pagans Motorcycle Club, including those in New Jersey chapters, were indicted on various crimes, federal prosecutors announced Monday. (Authorities said they seized them.). If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The U.S. Attorneys Office previously announced the arrest of Keith Richter the national president of the Pagans in connection with his illegal possession of a firearm in February. The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half of New Jersey. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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 club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. All rights reserved (About Us). Alleged members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club appear with their attorney in an SCI public hearing. 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 Our journalism needs your support. Bucciarelli was also indicted for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine, prosecutors added. On Nov. 5, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Aquinos residence and recovered, among other items, multiple .40 caliber rounds of ammunition and approximately 50 grams of cocaine. CAMDEN Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. 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. Significantly, many of the accused hold national, regional, and local leadership positions in the Pagans Motorcycle Club. Whether its ticket-fixing judges, police misconduct, orLittle League officials' questionable finances, we're here for you. 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. They are among 11 members of the outlaw motorcycle gang who have recently been charged with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. They're one of four major outlaw clubs. Attorney information for the two was not immediately known. Est. as one of the four major outlaw motorcycle clubs operating in the U.S. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched and kicked by the Pagans assailants, causing significant injuries.. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these clubs in routine crime investigations. Larry Ortiz, aka Savage, 31, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Junius Aquino, aka Jayo, 38, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, were indicted for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering (Count One) and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (Count Two), in connection with their roles in a gang-related shooting. 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** At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans Jersey City membership chapter, prosecutors said. CAMDEN - Two Williamstown men have admitted guilt in connection with an attack on a man who helped an investigation into the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The vehicle was stopped by police in East Windsor in Mercer County around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 21. On Nov. 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ortizs residence and recovered approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. We are making these materials available in an effort for news reporting or educational purposes. Recruitment has become much less selective, with people joining for $500 to $1,000 instead of going through a lengthy trial period as a "prospect.". [ Stay up-to-date on this story by downloading the Asbury Park Press app. For more on crime in New Jersey, scroll to the video above. 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 two groups are locked in a violent struggle for control of New Jersey, investigators said. as one of four major outlaw motorcycle gangs. as one of the four major outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in the U.S. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.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.". Arocho and Guzman are both high-ranking leaders in the Pagans organization, authorities alleged. Biker News does not belong to or support any Club. 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). It was. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. 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. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Ferdinand Augello, left, and Paul Pagano, right, wait, via video, for their first court appearance to begin at the Atlantic . Members useWhatsApp, a communication app, and encrypted devicesthat keeps law enforcement from tappingphone calls. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the councils questions. 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 cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. The report was issued following a lengthy investigation focused on the Pagans, which has been identified by the F.B.I. Torres said thePagans are believed to have150 to 350 members 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 District of New Jersey In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state. Under the control of Richter, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller, local motorcycle groups to increase membership, officials said. The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019. The victim allowed investigators to seize the weapons without the Pagans knowledge. When Aquino and his associates exited the bar, a group of individuals approached and assaulted them with baseball bats. 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. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. Its expanding at a rate weve never seen before, Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700 All rights reserved (About Us). Monday, June 28, 2021 Eleven Members of The Pagan's Motorcycle Club Charged with Narcotics Distribution, Firearms Offenses, and Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering NEWARK, N.J. - Two high-ranking members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club were arrested today for assault in aid of racketeering, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced. All rights reserved (About Us). NEWARK, N.J. Two high-ranking members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club were indicted today for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, narcotics distribution, and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Members conduct active "counter surveillance" of law enforcement, using drones and plainclothes Pagan members to search for undercover law enforcement officers at events. He made a series of turns, but couldnt shake them. The Pagan's Motorcycle Club has recruited disgraced or retired law enforcement officers and even a former municipal court judge in New Jersey. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Pagans have historically had a strong presence in South Jersey and neighboring Pennsylvania. 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. It was at that moment it became clear who the man was dealing with: two members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. Guzman is the President of Presidents of the New Jersey chapter, according to prosecutors. 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