CHICAGO, July 13 (Reuters) – Forty-one members of the
Michigan-based Devils Disciples have been charged with crimes
including attempted murder and drug trafficking in this week’s
second crackdown on a Midwest motorcycle gang, federal
prosecutors said on Friday.
Agents seized more than 60 firearms, ammunition, and
dismantled eight laboratories producing methamphetamine operated
by the gang, the Department of Justice said in a statement.
Of the 41 gang members indicted by a grand jury in the
Eastern District of Michigan, 31 were arrested and five were
already in custody, the statement said. Five others were at
large.
“For years, according to the indictment, the Devils
Diciples have spread fear in cities throughout Michigan and
around the country,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Breuer said
in a statement.
On Wednesday, law enforcement agents arrested 42 members of
the notorious Outlaws Motorcycle Club in raids across the
Midwest.
Agents seized their Indianapolis clubhouse along with 2.2
pounds (a kilogram) of cocaine, guns and $15,000 in cash. The
Outlaws are rivals of the infamous Hells Angels motorcycle gang.
Among the Devils Disciples arrested on charges that included
attempted murder, robbery, extortion, and racketeering were the
National President Jeff Smith, known as “Fat Dog,” and the
group’s vice president, Paul “Pauli” Darrah.
Smith was charged with Darrah and another member of using a
metal pipe to assault member Scott “Scotty P” Perkins. Members
also administered beatings to rival gangs, the statement said.
The Disciples’ headquarters are in Clinton Township,
Michigan. They have chapters throughout Michigan, Alabama,
Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
(Reporting By Andrew Stern; Editing by Andrew Hay)
