Study Notes on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

INTRODUCTION TO OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANGS (OMGs)

• Overall Context: Discussion focuses on outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) as a subset of organized crime, analyzing various characteristics, recruitment, membership, and criminal activities.

DEFINITIONS

• Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG):

  • Defined as a highly structured criminal organization.

  • Engages in criminal activities such as violent crime, weapons trafficking, and drug trafficking.

  • These are associations or groups of three or more individuals sharing a common interest.

  • Characterized by involvement in a pattern of criminal conduct.

STATISTICS ON OMGS

• Number of OMGs and Membership:

  • There are over 300 active OMGs in the United States.

  • Estimated 44,000 members belong to these gangs.

  • According to the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association (IOMGIA), for every OMG member, there are 10 additional associates.

  • The IOMGIA also notes the presence of over 100 outlaw motorcycle clubs beyond the U.S., including regions in Canada, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

ORIGINS OF OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANGS

• Recruitment Sources:

  • Most OMGs recruit from groups of motorcycle enthusiasts.

  • The biker community at large is a significant recruitment ground.

  • Historically, many OMGs were all-white, with some predominantly African American OMGs associating with white supremacist and black separatist groups.

LARGEST OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANGS

• Notable OMGs:

  • The largest OMGs include:

  • Hells Angels

  • Pagans

  • Vagos

  • Sons of Silence

  • Outlaws

  • Bandidos

  • Mongols

  • One Percenter Clubs:

  • This term came after the “Hollister Incident” in 1947, suggesting that 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, and only 1% constitute troublemakers.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OMGS AND STREET GANGS

• Comparison Factors:

  • Distinct demographics and modes of transportation differentiate OMGs from street gangs.

  • OMG members may be prosecuted under street gang laws for criminal enhancements.

  • There is a common requirement that members typically be able to operate a motorcycle.

  • OMG membership primarily comprises older, white, and male individuals.

GETTING IN: THE PATH TO MEMBERSHIP

• Membership Process:

  • Potential members initiate as “hang-arounds.”

  • They may receive an invitation to “prospect” for as long as a year.

  • During this period, prospects must perform services for club members and the club itself.

  • Prospects are allowed to wear the top and bottom rocker of the club on their colors but cannot wear the club’s patch or obtain club tattoos.

  • Initiation Rites:

  • Biker initiation rites often involve violence, including physical or mental abuse toward the prospect.

CRIMES ASSOCIATED WITH OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANGS

• Primary Crimes:

  • Economically motivated activities include:

  • Drug trafficking

  • Motorcycle theft

  • Prostitution

  • Other illegal enterprises

• Secondary Crimes:

  • These crimes support the primary crimes or OMG culture, including:

  • Murder

  • Assault

  • Rape

  • Kidnapping

  • Arson

INDIVIDUAL OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANG PROFILES

• Hells Angels MC:

  • Founded on March 17, 1948, in Fontana/San Bernardino, USA.

  • Ralph “Sonny” Barger became president of the Oakland chapter in 1958 and later served as the national president.

  • Membership estimated to be between 3,000 and 3,600, making it the largest OMG globally.

• Geographical Presence:

  • 238 chapters across 27 U.S. states and international locations including Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia, and South America.

• Allies:

  • Includes: Aryan Brotherhood, Booze Fighters, Red Devils, Hells Angels.

• Enemies:

  • Competing gangs include: Banditos, Mongols, Outlaws, Pagans, Sons of Silence, Hessians.

• Iron Horsemen MC:

  • Established in the 1960s in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • Notable for its hierarchical structure and predominantly white membership.

  • Chapters across various U.S. states and internationally.

• Connections:

  • Allies: Hells Angels, Sons of Silence.

  • Enemies: Outlaws, Hells Angels in Tennessee, Banditos.

• Kinfoke MC:

  • Founded in 2016 in Texas by “Chopper Dan,” a former Bandidos member.

  • Active in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas.

• Enemies:

  • Banditos MC and Hangmen MC.

• Mongols MC:

  • Established in 1969 in Montebello, California, with chapters in 19 U.S. states and across the globe.

• Enemies:

  • Hells Angels, Vagos MC.

• Allies:

  • Include Nuestra Familia, Nazi Low Riders, Banditos MC, and Arellano-Felix Mexican Drug Cartel.

• Outlaws MC:

  • Founded in 1935 at Matilda’s Bar in McCook, Illinois.

  • Chapters across 28 states and international regions.

• Allies:

  • Banditos, Black Pistons, Avengers, Pagans.

• Enemies:

  • Hells Angels, Red Devils, Iron Horsemen, Devils Disciples.

• Pagans MC:

  • Founded in 1959 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

  • Comprises a mother club of 13 to 20 former presidents meeting intermittently.

• Allies:

  • Including Thunderguards and connections to organized crime families like Genovese and Gambino.

• Enemies:

  • Hells Angels and rival warlocks in New Jersey.

• Sons of Silence MC:

  • Founded in 1966 in Colorado with 14 U.S. states representation.

• Allies:

  • Banditos.

• Enemies:

  • Hells Angels.

• Vagos MC:

  • Created in 1965 in San Bernardino, California, initially known as the Psychos.

• Geographical Presence:

  • Chapters in 17 U.S. states and several international locations.

• Allies:

  • Arellano-Félix Organization.

• Enemies:

  • Mongols and Hells Angels.

• Warlocks MC:

  • Established in 1967 in Orlando, Florida.

  • Chapters in 10 U.S. states, Canada, England, and Germany.

• Allies:

  • Pagans in Pennsylvania and Hells Angels in Virginia.

• Enemies:

  • Pagans in New Jersey and South Carolina.

• Wheels of Soul MC:

  • Founded in 1967 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with chapters spanning 15 U.S. states.

• Allies:

  • Hells Angels and Red Devils.