On August 12, 2006, rangers stopped an extended cab pickup truck towing a motorcycle trailer with Florida registration for a minor traffic offense. Unknown to the investigating ranger, the vehicle contained five heavily armed members of the Outlaw motorcycle gang who had just left the southern Black Hills, where the Outlaws had gathered as part of the 2006 Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Last year’s motorcycle rally was overshadowed by a growing rivalry and conflict between the Hells Angels and the Outlaws. Fears of a conflict between the biker gangs was confirmed on August 6th, when five Outlaws and one non-affiliated gang member were shot near Legion Lake in Custer State Park in the southern Black Hills. After being stopped for the traffic violation, rangers ran a routine computer check on the subjects, which came back with an advisory warning stating that they were members of an outlaw motorcycle gang and should be considered armed and dangerous. A subsequent search of the five gang members and their vehicle led to the discovery of eight firearms, including one pistol grip shotgun. All five were found to be either in possession of or had rapid and immediate access to loaded firearms. Countless blunt, cutting, and electrical weapons were also seized. Evidence of illegal drug use, including methamphetamines, was recovered. The United States Attorneys Office recently took the case before a federal grand jury in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Three of the gang members were indicted on multiple felony weapon and narcotic offenses; the remaining two members were found guilty of various CFR violations and have already paid their fines. Nearly all were found to be under the influence of multiple illegal drugs, including methamphetamines. The case continues to receive considerable interest from various state and federal authorities across the country, including the U.S. Department of Justice Gang Squad Unit in Washington D.C. For a copy of the initial report, click on “More Information” below.
