Pagan's Motorcycle Club

Pagan's MC

Founded	1959;65 years ago (1959) [1]
Founder	Lou Dobkin [1]
Founded at	Prince George's County, Maryland, United States [2]
Type	Outlaw motorcycle club
Region	East Coast of the United States and Puerto Rico (41 chapters in 12 U.S. states and 1 U.S. territory) [3]
Membership	1,500 [4]
National President	Robert "Big Bob" Francis [5]

Pagan's Motorcycle Club, or simply the Pagans, is an outlaw motorcycle club formed by Lou Dobkin in 1957 in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. ^{[1] [6]} The club rapidly expanded and by 1959, the Pagans, originally clad in blue denim jackets and riding Triumphs, began to evolve along the lines of the stereotypical one percenter motorcycle club. ^[1]

The Pagans are categorized as an outlaw motorcycle club by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They are known to fight over territory with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) ^[1] and other motorcycle clubs. They are currently active in California, Nevada, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Washington State and Puerto Rico. ^[7]

History

The Pagans were established in Prince George's County, Maryland, by then-president Lou Dobkin, beginning in 1957 and officially organized in 1958. ^[8] The group started out wearing denim jackets with embroidered insignia instead of the more standard three-piece patches utilized by most outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG), and riding both American and British motorcycles, Harley-Davidsons and Triumphs. ^[9] Originally they were a "brotherhood of 13 motorcyclists". In the 1960s they adopted a formal constitution and formed a governing structure, choosing a national president who was paid the same amount as the United States president, which worked out to a $100,000 salary per year ^[10] and calling the gesture "a show of class." ^[11]

They were a fairly non-violent group until 1965. A swelling mass of new members put the Pagans on the path to evolve into an OMG. It was largely a semantic gesture made after they gathered at a motorcycle race in Maryland; the ensuing incident found them branded as "The 1% of motorcyclists whom caused problems" in local newspapers. The Pagans claim to have invented and adopted the 1%er patch, referencing the newspaper articles of the time. This 1%er patch was quickly adopted by most other OMGs.

The Pagans, which “have been tied to traditional organized crime, including La Cosa Nostra, in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York", quickly became dominant in the mid-Atlantic region. ^[12] They were the only large OMG in that region as well as a large portion of the northeast United States. Their growth under the leadership of John "Satan" Marron, saw the Pagans grow to nearly 5,000 members in the early 1970s. Their "Mother Club" is never in a fixed location, but it has been generally located in the northeast. The Pagans' top echelon of leadership must always number 13 members. There are also chapter presidents, with the largest chapter at times located in the Philadelphia area. ^[11]

Though primarily concentrated in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, the Pagans began expanding into Florida in the 1990s and west, with chapters beyond the Mississippi River. The Pagans have grown slowly through a natural cycle of attrition in the smaller OMGs, the practice of patching over other chapters or entire clubs. The practice of incorporating smaller OMGs was prevalent from the 1970s to the early 1990s. ^[11]

Insignia

The Pagans MC patch depicts the Norse fire-giant Surtr sitting on burning world, wielding a fire sword, plus the word Pagan's[ sic ], in red, white and blue. ^[1] The image of Surtr was taken from an illustration by Jack Kirby in issue 97 of the comic book Journey into Mystery . ^[13]

Though historically not wearing a bottom rocker, a patch denoting the location of where a one-percenter bike club is based, the Pagan Motorcycle club has since started wearing an "East Coast" insignia on their vests ^[14]

Members wear blue denim vests called cuts or cutoffs with club patches, known as colors, on the front and back.

Members of the Pagans' "mother club" wear a distinctive black number "13" patch. ^[15]

Membership

Pagans have approximately 1,500+ members and more than 100 chapters and are active along the east coast of the United States and more recently the west coast, and Puerto Rico^{[ citation needed ]}. Chapters are common in Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington State, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Nevada. The Pagans have a mother club or ruling council which ultimately rules the club.

Members are required to adhere to a number of club bylaws, among which is a rule that dictates members must ride only Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Members are not permitted to quit or retire from the club, and can only leave if they are expelled. Reasons for expulsion include losing one's motorcycle or any piece of club property or paraphernalia, including club "colors". ^[15]

For decades the Pagans Motorcycle Club had looked north to Canada for possible expansion. It also found the idea of supporting Hells Angels rivals beneficial, such as the Rock Machine Motorcycle Club; a Canadian-based international motorcycle club with chapters all over the world, it has fought several conflicts with the Hells Angels including the Quebec Biker War, the deadliest motorcycle conflict in history. In 2011, dozens of the Pagans traveled to the Canadian province of New Brunswick to meet with the Rock Machine. At the time New Brunswick had little outlaw motorcycle influence. The meeting was to consolidate a friendship and probe the province for expansion. However in 2018, Pagans member, Andrew "Chef" Glick revealed that the group had abandoned its plans at expansion north. He cited Canada's anti-biker laws but also a large part of the reason was that Canadian Hells Angels are considered particularly violent members of the outlaw biker – or “one percenter” – community, Glick said in an interview.

“In Canada and Australia, that’s where the heaviest (toughest) one per centers are,” Glick said. “Being a one per center in Canada, I would say is a little more dangerous than being a one per center in the U.S." New Jersey bikers are tough, but “not near as violent as what I’ve seen and read (about) in Montreal and Toronto.”

^[16]

Organization

The Pagans organization is headed by a board of directors known as the "mother club", which consists of thirteen senior members who set club policy, administer internal discipline, oversee the opening of new chapters and appoint club presidents and vice presidents. ^[15]

The club's leadership has traditionally been based in Central Pennsylvania. ^[15]

Criminal activities

Pagan's MC

Founded	1959;65 years ago (1959) [2]
Founder	Lou Dobkin [1]
Founding location	Prince George's County, Maryland, United States [2]
Years active	1959–present
Territory	41 chapters in 12 U.S. states and Puerto Rico [3]
Membership (est.)	1,500 [17]
Activities	Racketeering, drug trafficking, extortion, motorcycle theft, weapons trafficking, burglary, money laundering, prostitution, arson, assault, bombing and murder [18] [19] [20]
Allies	Gambino crime family [21] Genovese crime family [21] Latin Kings [22] Philadelphia crime family [23] Pittsburgh crime family [24] Sons of Satan MC [25] Warlocks MC [26]
Rivals	10th & Oregon Crew [27] Bandidos MC [28] Breed MC [29] Hells Angels MC [30] Outlaws MC [31]

Along with the Bandidos, the Hells Angels and the Outlaws, the Pagans are classified by various law enforcement agencies in the United States as one of the "big four" motorcycle gangs. ^{[19] [32]} The Pagans have traditionally been considered the smallest of the "big four". ^[15] The Pagans are also the only "big four" club which is based solely in the United States and has no presence internationally. ^[33] The Department of Justice classifies the club as an "outlaw motorcycle gang" (OMG) and contends that Pagans members are involved in the distribution of narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and PCP, as well as violent crimes directed at rival gangs including arson, assault, bombing, extortion and murder. ^[18]

The Pagans have been linked to La Cosa Nostra crime families in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York and New Jersey. ^{[18] [20]} The club also utilizes puppet clubs, affiliated street gangs and female associates to carry out retail drug distribution. ^{[19] [20]} The Pagans have been involved in rivalries with various other motorcycle gangs, most notably a longrunning feud with the Hells Angels. ^{[28] [29] [30] [31]}

Florida

Main article: Disappearance of Amy Billig

On March 5, 1974, seventeen-year-old Amy Billig disappeared near her home in Coconut Grove, Florida. Billig's fate remained unknown for at least 24 years, until in 1998 Paul Branch, a former Pagans member, revealed in a deathbed confession that on the day of her disappearance she had been abducted, drugged, raped, and murdered. According to Branch, Billig's body was dumped in the surrounding Everglades, though it has never been found. Billig's case received national media attention, including features on Unsolved Mysteries and America's Most Wanted . ^[34]

On 15 May 2021, the Pagans got in a bar room fight with locals at Stripes Bar & Grill in Navarre, Florida. Two days later a Rich Urban Bikers (RUBS) motorcycle was set on fire in front of Stripes. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office has been conducting an investigation with at least five Pagans and locals arrested or wanted. ^[35]

Maryland

Pagans national sergeant-at-arms Kirby "Bear" Keller was indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland in 1976 accused of operating a five-state drug ring. ^[15]

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. Police and agents recovered seven handguns, two alleged explosive devices and 13 rifles. ^[36] On March 5, 2008, Wagner pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. ^[37] On August 8, 2008, U.S. District Chief Judge Benson E. Legg sentenced Wagner to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. ^[38]

On 6 October 2009, the home of national president David "Bart" Barbeito in Myersville, Maryland was raided by police. He was arrested on firearms charges. In June, 2010 he pleaded guilty to racketeering and other charges. ^[39] He was sentenced to thirty months' confinement. ^[40]

New Jersey

On July 17, 1994, at least eight members of the Pagans showed up at the annual charity picnic fund-raiser organized by Tri-County MC in Hackettstown. The Pagans were there to intimidate local motorcycle clubs into aligning with the Pagans so they would have a larger power base to prevent the Hells Angels from getting established in New Jersey. ^[41] A fight started and escalated from fists to knives and guns. When it was over, Pagans Glenn Ritchie and Diego Vega had been shot dead; Pagan Ron Locke and Tri-County member William Johnson had gunshot wounds, and Tri-County member Hank Riger had his throat cut. ^{[42] [43]}

Pagans member Robert "Hellboy" Deronde was convicted of the April 24, 2018 beating of Hells Angels member Jeffrey Shank with a baseball bat at a gas station in Newark, and was sentenced to four years in prison in July 2019. ^[44]

Pagans national president Keith "Conan" Richter was arrested February 26, 2021 after a police stop in East Windsor where a loaded pistol was found in a vehicle in which he was a passenger. ^[45]

New York

On February 23, 2002, 73 Pagans were arrested on Long Island, New York after appearing at an indoor motorcycle and tattoo expo called the Hellraiser Ball. ^[46] The Pagans had shown up to the event to confront Hells Angels who were at the Ball. Dozens of Pagans rushed the doors of the event and were met with violence by the Hells Angels. Fighting ensued, ten people were wounded, and a Hells Angel shot and killed a Pagans member. Two weeks later, a Pagans-owned tattoo parlor located in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was firebombed. ^[47]

In September 2010, nineteen members of the Pagans were arrested in Rocky Point, New York for allegedly conspiring to murder members of the Hells Angels. Charges also include assault, distribution of cocaine and oxycodone, conspiracy to commit extortion and weapons charges. ^[48] Two federal ATF agents infiltrated the gang, providing key evidence. One agent eventually served as sergeant-at-arms, the second-highest position in the hierarchy. Gang members were heard plotting to murder members of the Hells Angels using homemade hand grenades. ^[49]

Pennsylvania

Member of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club Anthony "Rocky" LaRocca was the nephew to former Pittsburgh mafia boss John LaRocca and acted as a liaison between the Pagans MC and the LaRocca crime family. ^[50] In 1973, LaRocca and another member of the Pagans were charged with assaulting an ATF agent, conspiracy, firearms and possession of a silencer. ^[51] In 1990, LaRocca and Francis "Rick" Ferri were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of John Heatherington. ^[51] While incarcerated, LaRocca continued to control his cocaine distribution network through his family contacts in organized crime and members of the motorcycle club until he was indicted again and given an additional 20 years. ^{[52] [53]}

In 1982, the Pagans attacked members of the Wheels of Soul in Philadelphia in an effort to cease the Wheels of Souls' expansion. ^[15]

In January 1985, then national vice president of the Pagans Daniel "Danny the Deacon" Zwibel was indicted on RICO charges alongside co-defendants James Burke and Eugene (Nick the Blade) Gesuale who was the infamous “Pittsburgh connection” in the movie Goodfellas. ^[54]

On March 21, 1985, 42 members and associates of the Pagans and the Iron Coffins, an Erie-based gang, were indicted on drug sales charges. The arrests came after a three-year investigation into the distribution of LSD, PCP, and amphetamines. ^[55]

On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted 30 members and associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club with narcotics trafficking and firearm possession. ^[56] The seizure was of 12 firearms, "significant quantities" of drugs and $28,000 in cash and jewelry. ^[57] Those charged include: Bill Rana, Eric Armes, Jason Evans, Hasani James, Cody Bonanno, Phillip Bonanno, Dominic Quarture, Mark Stockhausen, Patrick Rizzo, Anthony Peluso, Marissa Botta, David Pietropaolo, Thomas Snelsire, Wayne Webber, Ronald Simak, Anthony Scatena, James Stewart, Dorin Duncan, Jeffrey Kushik, Gary Hairston, Darian Wofford, Stephanie Zilka, Misty Walker, Richard White, Randy Camacho, Damian Cherepko, Brandon Hulboy, James Crivella, Seaira Collins and Jessica Taranto. ^[58] As part of the investigation the FBI agents tapped 10 phones. ^[58]

In 2005, Pagans allegedly opened fire on and killed the vice-president of the Hells Angels' Philadelphia chapter as he was driving his truck on the Schuylkill Expressway. ^[59] Later that year, the Hells Angels closed their Philadelphia chapter.^{[ citation needed ]}

On April 8, 2022, Pagans associate Jason Evans was sentenced to 57 months for his role in a large-scale operation trafficking drugs in western Pennsylvania and Ohio, federal prosecutors announced. Prosecutors said Evans was a close associate of a "fully patched" Pagans Motorcycle Club member of the Pittsburgh chapter and served as an "enforcer." ^[60]

On June 7, 2021, the vice president of a chapter in Pittsburgh, Patrick Rizzo, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville to illegal firearms possession. ^[61]

Rhode Island

In 2018, 49 people, some members of the Pagans MC, were arrested in the largest bust in Rhode Island history. The seizure of 53 illegal guns, including a rocket launcher, and a "large quantity" of marijuana, crack, cocaine, and heroin was the end results of 12-month investigation conducted by members of the Rhode Island State Police Special Investigations Unit with assistance from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, ATF, and FBI. ^[62]

Multi-state

In 2009, 55 Pagans members and associates were arrested from West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida. ^[63] Charges range from attempted murder and kidnapping to drug dealing and conspiracy. ^[64] So far, seven defendants in the case have pleaded guilty. ^{[63] [65] [66]}

References

1. Mallory, Stephen L. (2007), Understanding Organized Crime, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, pp. 157–160, ISBN   978-0-7637-4108-2
2. The Rise of the Pagans in New Jersey State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (September 2020) Archived June 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
3. Outlaw biker gangs in Pittsburgh area have splintered over time Torsten Ove, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (May 19, 2015) Archived May 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
4. "30 members of Pagans Motorcycle Club arrested for alleged drug trafficking". The Independent. December 10, 2020. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
5. Leader of Pagan’s motorcycle club sentenced to 33 months for gun charge Joe Atmonavage, NJ.com (October 14, 2021) Archived October 14, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
6. Barker, Tom (September 2005), "One Percent Biker Clubs -- A Description", Trends in Organized Crime, vol. 9, no. 1, Springer New York, pp. 101–112, doi:10.1007/s12117-005-1005-0, ISSN   1084-4791, S2CID   144003167
7. "Into the Abyss: Motorcycle Gangs". People.missouristate.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
8. Throckmorton, Keith (23 April 2021). "Peacemaker: The Pagan Outlaw Motorcycle club". The Perquimans Weekly. APG East LLC. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
9. "Biker Tattoos". LoveToKnow. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
10. "Salary history for the president of the United States" . Retrieved 2019-12-24.
11. "Drugs and Crime : Outlaw Motorcycle clubs Profile" (PDF). Cryptome.org. October 2002. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
12. "Pagan's, Alongside Cosa Nostra, Are Booming, State Crime Commission Says". 11 September 2020.
13. Thomas-Lester, Avis (November 6, 1991). "Outlaw Biker Gangs Larger, More Violent". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
14. Napoliello, Alex (May 7, 2018). "Pagans may be planning a 'violent' expansion into North Jersey". NJ.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
15. Pagans prospering despite arrests Gary A. Warner and Dan Donovan, The Pittsburgh Press (April 17, 1986) Archived July 2, 2024, at archive.today
16. Edwards, Peter (8 March 2018). "New Jersey bikers opted out of expanding to Canada, U.S. Court hears". The Toronto Star.
17. 30 Pittsburgh Pagans Motorcycle Club Members And Associates Arrested For Drug Trafficking CBS News (December 9, 2020) Archived June 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
18. "Motorcycle gang". U.S. Department of Justice. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
19. "2005 National Gang Threat Assessment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-12-22. National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association (2005)
20. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs known as the "Big Four" Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (2012) Archived July 2, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
21. Gangs and Organized Crime George W. Knox, Gregg Etter, and Carter F. Smith (2018) ISBN   9781138614772
22. Pagans may be planning a 'violent' expansion into North Jersey Alex Napoliello, NJ.com (May 7, 2018) Archived October 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
23. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – The Pagans State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (1989) Archived December 29, 2003, at the Wayback Machine
24. Steel City Mafia: Blood, Betrayal and Pittsburgh’s Last Don Paul N. Hodos (2023) ISBN   9781467153751
25. Clubhouse bombing may be tied to gang war Brett Lovelace, LNP (December 19, 2002) Archived February 16, 2013, at archive.today
26. Pagans Take Philly? Brendan McGarvey, My City Paper (April 21, 2005) Archived March 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
27. Pagans raid bar, target reputed leader of local gang Kitty Caparella, Philadelphia Daily News (March 11, 1999) Archived November 16, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
28. Tri-Cities motorcycle gang shootout victim allegedly fired first Cameron Probert, Tri-City Herald (July 18, 2022) Archived July 18, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
29. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – The Breed State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (1989) Archived December 29, 2003, at the Wayback Machine
30. How a Cold War Between Rival Biker Gangs on Cape Cod Turned Red Hot Chris Hippensteel, The Daily Beast (May 12, 2023) Archived May 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
31. Biker gang shooting at Tennessee bar leaves 2 dead, police say Stephen Sorace, Fox News (May 2, 2022) Archived May 2, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
32. Crimes of the Big Four Motorcycle Gangs Office of Justice Programs (April 2009) Archived August 20, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
33. Crimes of the Big Four motorcycle gangs Thomas Barker and Kelly M. Human, Research Papers in Economics (2009) Archived July 2, 2024, at archive.today
34. Bureau, DANA CALVO Miami (26 February 1998). "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO AMY?". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
35. WEAR Staff (2021-06-02). "VIDEO: 5 men charged for Navarre bar fight involving motorcycle club". WEAR. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
36. "Herald Mail Media" . Retrieved 18 May 2015.
37. Leduc, Vickie E. (2008-03-05). "Pagans Motorcycle Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge". United States Department of Justice . Archived from the original on 2009-05-17.
38. Leduc, Vickie E. (2008-08-08). "Pagan Motorcycle Club President Sentenced to Over Two Years in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of 19 Guns". United States Department of Justice . Archived from the original on 2009-09-08.
39. "FNP Exclusive: Pagan informant glad for closure as Pagan president admits guilt". The Frederick News-Post. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
40. Clevenger, Andrew (2010-12-20). "Pagans president sentenced to 30 months on gun charges". wvgazette.com. Archived from the original on 2010-12-25.
41. "The Express-Times | Lehigh Valley PA Newspaper - lehighvalleylive.com". Nj.com. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
42. Cops probe deadly bikers' brawl in NJ United Press International (July 18, 1994) Archived July 2, 2024, at archive.today
43. Details Sifted in Biker Clash That Left 2 Pagans Dead Robert Hanley, The New York Times (July 19, 1994) Archived October 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
44. A Pagan’s biker called ‘Hellboy’ beat a Hells Angels member with a baseball bat. He’s headed to prison for 4 years.
45. Pagans motorcycle club national president arrested in N.J. for having a loaded gun, feds say.
46. Pulitzer, Lisa (2002-02-24). "'Hellraisers' Brawl : L.I. Biker-Gang Rumble Leaves 1 Dead, 10 Hurt". New York Post . Archived from the original on 2022-10-22.
47. Leduff, Charlie (May 5, 2002). "A Biker Shot Dead Is Laid to Rest, And a Bloody Turf War Rages On". The New York Times.
48. "Members of Pagan Motorcycle Gang arrested on Long Island". ABC7 New York. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
49. Marzulli, John (September 15, 2010). "Pagans biker gang plotted to kill rival Hells Angels with grenade attacks, say Feds". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
50. Hell's Angels: "Three Can Keep a Secret if Two Are Dead". Lyle Stuart. 1989. ISBN   9780818405143.
51. "Organized Crime in Pennsylvania: A Decade of Change 1990 Report" (PDF). Office of Justice Programs . 30 March 1991. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-16.
52. Piacentino, Mia (13 April 2015). "Figuring Out Francis Ferri" (PDF). writing.charlotte.edu. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 October 2022.
53. "Clipped from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 19 May 1983. p. 4.
54. "Lucchese's Pittsburgh LCN connect from Goodfellas - GangsterBB.NET".
55. 4 key investigations led to gang arrests The Pittsburgh Press (April 17, 1986) Archived July 2, 2024, at archive.today
56. "30 Members and Associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club Facing Federal Charges". 9 December 2020.
57. "30 Pittsburgh Pagans Motorcycle Club Members and Associates Arrested for Drug Trafficking". CBS News . 9 December 2020.
58. "Feds charge 30 as part of investigation into drugs and weapons in Pittsburgh-area Pagans Motorcycle Club". 9 December 2020.
59. "First blood in possible biker war". South Philly Review . Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
60. "Pittsburgh Pagans 'Enforcer' Sentenced to Prison for Role in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Operation". CBS News . 8 April 2022.
61. "Leader in Pittsburgh Pagans Motorcycle Club pleads guilty to violating firearms laws". 7 June 2021.
62. "49 people arrested in largest bust in Rhode Island history, officials say". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
63. Larini, Rudy (2009-10-06). "N.J. Pagans Motorcycle Club members are indicted in W.Va. bust". nj. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
64. "North Jersey Pagan held in racketeering case". 2021-09-10. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
65. Clevenger, Andrew (November 16, 2009), "Contractor admits using Pagans for debt-collection muscle", The Charleston Gazette , archived from the original on November 21, 2009, retrieved 2009-11-18
66. Clevenger, Andrew (2009-12-18). "Pagans vice president guilty of racketeering". wvgazette.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-19.