It’d be nice to think that “biker gang” activity is a thing of the past, that the old school gangs are just a bunch of guys who simply want to be free to ride their machines without being hassled by the man. Certainly there are people who adopt the look of the old school MC’s, but who don’t live the lifestyle.

Still, I’m not naive. I know that illegal activity still happens, which is why I try to give “one percenters” a wide berth whenever I take note of their presence: I’m pretty sure they don’t need me hovering around trying to chat them up like we were best biker buddies.

Today the US Department of Justice (USDOJ) announced a string of indictments against Outlaws Motorcycle Club members in Michigan and Indiana. The indictments were the results of “a five-year investigation by the ATF, the FBI, the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department, the South Bend (Ind.) Police Department, and the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department,” according to a USDOJ news release.

The release stated:

The 18-count indictment alleges that the Outlaws Motorcycle Club is an enterprise whose members allegedly committed, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence to protect and expand the gang’s criminal operations. Several of the defendants were charged with allegedly assaulting various members of the rival Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, in some cases with dangerous weapons including a cane, a hammer, and motorcycle parts. Several defendants allegedly trafficked in the sale of drugs, including methamphetamine, marijuana, hashish and cocaine, while others were charged with various firearms offenses for either being a felon in possession of a handgun, or selling a firearm to a prohibited person. The indictment contains a criminal forfeiture allegation, which sets forth property, vehicles, motorcycles, weapons and currency that was either used to conduct or facilitate illegal activities, or which were proceeds from the Outlaws’ criminal activities.

Here’s a link to the full release about the results of the various federal “operations” that led to the indictments against the Outlaws.

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