Fourteen Motorcycle Gang Leaders and Members Plead Guilty in Detroit to Violent Crime, Drug and Firearms Charges |
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Topics: Outlaws
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U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan
July 30, 2009
WASHINGTON—Fourteen members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club have pleaded guilty in Detroit to charges including violent crimes in aid of racketeering, illegal drug distribution and firearms violations, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Terrence Berg and Thomas Brandon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division, announced today.
The guilty pleas included leaders, members and gang associates of Outlaws’ chapters in Fort Wayne, Ind., Indianapolis, and areas of Detroit including Eastside, Detroit Westside, Downriver and Bay City. The defendants were charged with various crimes including violent crimes in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of racketeering; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and hashish; possessing a firearm after conviction for a felony; and sale of a firearm to a known felon.
“Unfortunately, far too many Americans live in fear of gang-related violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer. “By working with our federal, state and local partners to target these gangs, we take violent individuals off the street and weaken the chokehold that gangs like the Outlaws have on our communities.”
“The guilty pleas by a large number of leaders and members of this illegal motorcycle gang are a good example of the success that comes from effective federal, state and local law enforcement cooperation,” said U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg. “This case has managed to put a damper on the heightened dangers of violence and other criminal acts posed by organized gangs such as the Outlaws. The ATF, FBI and their state and local law enforcement partners did an excellent job in bringing the down the illegal activities of the Outlaws in the Eastern District of Michigan.”
“One of ATF’s primary missions is to make our communities safer from the criminal activity of violent gangs, such as the Outlaws. The magnitude of the pain, suffering and fear that violent gangs bring to our communities is immeasurable,” said Thomas Brandon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division. “ATF, along with our local, state and federal partners, remains committed to stemming the hold that violent gangs like the outlaws have on our neighborhoods.”
The guilty pleas were the result of “Operation Broken Spoke,” “Operation Detroit Mugger,” and “Operation End Game,” a five-year investigation by the ATF; the FBI; the National Drug Intelligence Center; Michigan State Police; the Detroit Police Department; the South Bend, Ind., Police Department; and the Fort Wayne Police Department.
The following Michigan and Indiana Outlaws members and associates pleaded guilty:
| NAME | DATE OF PLEA | CHARGE |
| Leroy Frasier, aka “Leroy” | July 30, 2009 | Conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon |
| David Dorris, aka “Hoggs” | July 27, 2009 | Conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon |
| Ramon Rios, aka “Ramon” | July 23, 2009 | Conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon |
| Norman Box Jr., aka “Stormin Norman” | June 23, 2009 | Assault with a dangerous weapon |
| Michael Radke, aka “Mike” | June 23, 2009 | Distribution of cocaine |
| Edward Gallagher, aka “Eddie” | June 23, 2009 | Distribution of methamphetamine |
| Danny Neace, aka “Milky” | June 12, 2009 | Assault with a dangerous weapon |
| Bruce Wendel, aka “Big Bruce” | June 12, 2009 | Assault with a dangerous weapon |
| Kim Galaviz, aka “Moe” | June 12, 2009 | Distribution of cocaine |
| William Thomas McCowan, aka “Tom the Bomb” | June 10, 2009 | Possession of hashish |
| William Merfert, aka “Billy” | June 10, 2009 | Felon in possession of firearms |
| William Elston, aka “Jason” | June 9, 2009 | Assault with a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injury |
| Mark Guerra, aka “Skid Mark” | April 1, 2009 | Distribution of marijuana |
| William Guinn, aka “Slick” | Aug. 25, 2008 | Distribution of marijuana |