Southern Belle
06-07-2012, 09:54 PM
Hells Angels members charged with prostitution, drugs in FBI raid
Posted: Jun 07, 2012 9:40 AM EDT Updated: Jun 07, 2012 4:52 PM EDT
By Nick Needham - email
YORK, SC (WBTV) -
Federal, state and local law enforcement officers raided almost two dozen homes in North and South Carolina Wednesday in search of several members and associates of the Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels after a two-year investigation into the motorcycle club's dealings.
Nineteen members and associates of the Hells Angels' biker gang were arrested in a sting on Thursday morning.
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles and Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated they were arrested after the return of a 91 count indictment charging members and associates of the Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, narcotics violations, Hobbs Act robbery, money laundering, and firearm violations.
The arrest warrants were served along with the execution of 23 search warrants in North and South Carolina. During today's operation, law enforcement seized methamphatamine, cocaine, marijuana, pills and approximately 100 firearms, including two automatic machine guns.
"The significance of the extensive and long-term investigative efforts that resulted in the arrests today represent the FBI's continuing commitment to the dismantling of organized criminal organizations," Special Agent in Charge David Thomas stated.
"By working in a joint environment with federal, state and local counterparts, we send a clear message that such pervasive criminal activities will not be tolerated."
These arrests follow a two-year interagency investigation by the South Carolina Hells Angels Task Force (SCHATF).
Arrested were:
Daniel Eugene Bifield, a/k/a Diamond Dan (Leesville)
Somying Anderson, a/k/a Ying (West Columbia)
Bruce James Long, a/k/a Bruce-Bruce (West Columbia)
James Frederick Keach, Jr., a/k/a Big Fred (Pelion)
Lisa Ellen Bifield, a/k/a Lisa Ellen Meyers, Lisa Ellen Stockton (Leesville)
Trent Allen Brown (West Columbia)
Bruce Ranson Wilson, a/k/a Diesel (Swansea)
Mark William Baker, a/k/a Lightning (Lancaster)
David Channing Oiler, a/k/a Gravel Dave (Lancaster)
Richard Thrower, a/k/a Little Mark, Rat (Lancaster)
David Pryor, a/k/a Yard Owl (York)
Frank Enriquez, Jr., a/k/a Big Frank (Rock Hill)
Donald Boersma, a/k/a Brooklyn Donnie (Clover)
Johanna Looper, a/k/a JoJo (York)
Thomas McManus Plyler, a/k/a Uncle Tom (Rock Hill)
Jamie Hobbs Long (Lancaster)
Kerry Chitwood (Gastonia, North Carolina)
Carlos Hernandez (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Ronald Dean Byrum, Jr., a/k/a Big Ron (Gastonia, North Carolina)
Federal authorities would not release exact locations of all the raids.
WBTV has learned that investigators also raided several areas near Columbia, SC as well.
Posted: Jun 07, 2012 9:40 AM EDT Updated: Jun 07, 2012 4:52 PM EDT
By Nick Needham - email
YORK, SC (WBTV) -
Federal, state and local law enforcement officers raided almost two dozen homes in North and South Carolina Wednesday in search of several members and associates of the Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels after a two-year investigation into the motorcycle club's dealings.
Nineteen members and associates of the Hells Angels' biker gang were arrested in a sting on Thursday morning.
U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles and Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated they were arrested after the return of a 91 count indictment charging members and associates of the Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, narcotics violations, Hobbs Act robbery, money laundering, and firearm violations.
The arrest warrants were served along with the execution of 23 search warrants in North and South Carolina. During today's operation, law enforcement seized methamphatamine, cocaine, marijuana, pills and approximately 100 firearms, including two automatic machine guns.
"The significance of the extensive and long-term investigative efforts that resulted in the arrests today represent the FBI's continuing commitment to the dismantling of organized criminal organizations," Special Agent in Charge David Thomas stated.
"By working in a joint environment with federal, state and local counterparts, we send a clear message that such pervasive criminal activities will not be tolerated."
These arrests follow a two-year interagency investigation by the South Carolina Hells Angels Task Force (SCHATF).
Arrested were:
Daniel Eugene Bifield, a/k/a Diamond Dan (Leesville)
Somying Anderson, a/k/a Ying (West Columbia)
Bruce James Long, a/k/a Bruce-Bruce (West Columbia)
James Frederick Keach, Jr., a/k/a Big Fred (Pelion)
Lisa Ellen Bifield, a/k/a Lisa Ellen Meyers, Lisa Ellen Stockton (Leesville)
Trent Allen Brown (West Columbia)
Bruce Ranson Wilson, a/k/a Diesel (Swansea)
Mark William Baker, a/k/a Lightning (Lancaster)
David Channing Oiler, a/k/a Gravel Dave (Lancaster)
Richard Thrower, a/k/a Little Mark, Rat (Lancaster)
David Pryor, a/k/a Yard Owl (York)
Frank Enriquez, Jr., a/k/a Big Frank (Rock Hill)
Donald Boersma, a/k/a Brooklyn Donnie (Clover)
Johanna Looper, a/k/a JoJo (York)
Thomas McManus Plyler, a/k/a Uncle Tom (Rock Hill)
Jamie Hobbs Long (Lancaster)
Kerry Chitwood (Gastonia, North Carolina)
Carlos Hernandez (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Ronald Dean Byrum, Jr., a/k/a Big Ron (Gastonia, North Carolina)
Federal authorities would not release exact locations of all the raids.
WBTV has learned that investigators also raided several areas near Columbia, SC as well.