James Vernon Hoback, 43, an auto mechanic from Pilot, Va., known as "Timex," admitted in federal court Tuesday that he helped others take military grade C4 and two hand grenades across state lines to Princeton

James Vernon Hoback, 43, an auto mechanic from Pilot, Va., known as "Timex," admitted in federal court Tuesday that he helped others take military grade C4 and two hand grenades across state lines to Princeton, W.Va.The explosives were part of a stockpile of weapons to be used in an ongoing war against the Hell's Angels, a rival motorcycle gang that had a longstanding turf war with the Pagans, according to a stipulation of facts filed as part of Hoback's plea.Hoback was one of 55 defendants named in a sweeping 44-count indictment unsealed last month in Charleston. Prosecutors allege that the Pagans and affiliated motorcycle gangs used violence and intimidation to control a criminal organization that operated from New Jersey to Florida.Several Pagans, including national president David K. "Bart" Barbeito, 49, of Myersville, Md., and Floyd B. "Jessie" Moore, 64, of St. Albans, face racketeering charges for allegedly trying to strong-arm members of smaller clubs into following orders from the Pagans' governing body, or "Mother Club."
Other counts accuse gang members and associates of kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder for conspiring to kill an incarcerated member of the Pagans whom they believed was cooperating with law enforcement. The indictment also alleges that proceeds from illegal raffles -- purportedly for non-existent motorcycles -- were funneled into the criminal enterprise.According to Hoback's stipulation, Charles H. "Tombstone Charlie" Nichols, of Roanoke, Va., obtained the explosives and gave them to Hoback, who in turn gave them to Richard Howard Leslie "Reverse" Smith. Smith, 58, also of Roanoke, Va., took the C4 and hand grenades to Ronnie Howerton, a member of the Pagans who was known to be collecting weapons to use against the Hell's Angels, in Princeton, the stipulation states.
"Hoback helped transfer the explosives to Howerton with the intent that the explosives would be used to kill, injure or intimidate another individual," the stipulation states.Although Smith and Nichols were named in the indictment, Howerton was not.Nichols died last month while in custody at the South Central Regional Jail. Authorities said Nichols died from complications from previous medical conditions.Hoback faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston on March 8.

20 members of the Iron Horsemen, Vigilantes and Hells Angels bikie gangs, including the Hells Angels, converged

20 members of several bikie gangs, including the Hells Angels, converged on the scene as paramedics tended to the injured 45-year-old man and his 46-year-old female pillion passenger. The pair, both from Craigieburn, were travelling north along La Trobe Tce at the intersection of Roebuck St in Geelong just after 4pm, when witnesses say the man was catapulted above the height of the purple Honda, which was heading east through the intersection. It is believed the pair had been travelling as part of a motorcycle club convoy around the bay when the crash occurred. Both were rushed to Geelong Hospital, where the man was last night in a serious but stable condition, while the woman was considered stable. The elderly female driver of the other vehicle appeared to walk away unscathed. About two dozen motorcycle gang members, including members from the Iron Horsemen, Vigilantes and Hells Angels, were beside the road consoling one another at the scene after the incident. Several held vigil outside Geelong Hospital last night. A police spokesperson could not confirm if the pair were members of a motorcycle gang. Witnesses told the Geelong Advertiser part of a larger convoy of riders had successfully made it through the intersection before the crash.
"I noticed a few bikies went through before the change (of lights)," one witness, who was stopped at the intersection travelling southbound, said
"One body flew up in the air a bit above the height of the car and another one went on the ground. The first guy didn't look like he was moving and the second one looked like they just clipped it." The Honda had a broken window and damage to the driver's side, while the motorbike, with a mangled front wheel, was towed away by a private vehicle after being lifted into a trailer by several club members. The accident blocked northbound traffic along La Trobe Tce, which was diverted along Myers St for more than 15 minutes, while ambulance officers stabilised the two riders and firefighters dusted the road with dirt to soak up oil spilled from the accident.

Hells Angels bullied their way into legitimate businesses and used them for money-laundering

Hells Angels bullied their way into legitimate businesses and used them for money-laundering. The arrests helped underscore the towering scale of an ongoing scandal in Quebec over the construction industry’s criminal underbelly. The arrests were completely separate from Operation Hammer, the high-profile probe into allegations of Mafia-related activity that have rocked the industry and the province’s political class.
The arrests Tuesday stemmed from an earlier probe into just one network, in just one criminal organization — the Hells biker gang. Police told a news conference that they began their investigation into the Hells’ construction ties in March, and had issued 20 arrest warrants since then for crimes ranging from extortion, to uttering threats, to money-laundering. They arrested 10 people Tuesday in the final phase of that investigation, dubbed Operation Diligence. A police spokesman said four other people were still being sought on warrants and remained on the lam.



Quebec’s construction industry has come under heavy scrutiny more recently, amid reports of companies colluding to boost the cost of construction projects, then funding political parties and sharing their profits with the Mafia.



Those allegations caused the provincial government to launch a separate investigation — Operation Hammer — last month.



The earlier investigation — Operation Diligence — stemmed from a crackdown on the Hells Angels last spring. Provincial police began investigating biker activity in the industry for the purpose of money-laundering.



Tuesday’s arrests are being linked to Normand Marvin “Casper“ Ouimet, an alleged Hells Angels member wanted for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and gangsterism. He remains at large.



Police say Ouimet, 39, is a player in Quebec’s construction and masonry industry.

The Riders have many characteristics of an outlaw motorcycle gang, and operate under the control of the Hells Angels

leather vests and jackets are emblazoned with diabolic skulls in fedoras and the words "Bay Riders." The club is a registered nonprofit, and was recently on the TV news for donating $1,000 to foster kids. But police don't buy the philanthropic Santa on wheels bit. They say the Riders have many characteristics of an outlaw motorcycle gang, and operate under the control of the Hells Angels.Officer Dan Silver, the gang task force cop who monitors the group with an FBI partner, says the Riders are the biggest Angels support club that sprang up a year ago in response to the murder of Mark "Papa" Guardado. Guardado, the president of Hells Angels' Frisco chapter, was gunned down in the Mission in September 2008, allegedly by a rival Mongols motorcycle gang member.Silver says there are at least 30 Bay Riders members in San Francisco, the North Bay, and the Peninsula. They dock their bikes at hangouts in the Excelsior, SOMA, Dogpatch, and the Embarcadero, and have been advertising their first anniversary motorcycle run on Nov. 8. "To keep the Mongols out of the city, the Bay Riders appeared like wildfire," he says. "A huge new group was formed to increase the number of allied personnel."The Riders first appeared on the cops' radar at their "Break Out Party" one year ago at Jelly's club on Pier 50, which ended in gunfire. The club's manager said he heard a car had driven up to the club, "ghost ridding [sic], wilding out, driving out of control," according to the police report. Someone opened fire on the vehicle and hit the woman passenger in the shoulder. She survived, and police have made no arrests in the case.Silver suspects the Riders "are being tasked with doing things for the Hells Angels," like providing security at events. In late August, SF Weekly talked to a man who identified as a Rider hanging outside Pier 23 on the Embarcadero. He said Riders are required to attend Angels events, and that some Riders were transporting out-of-town Angels to and from the 55th anniversary party of the Frisco chapter that very night."I think there's a strong possibility we're going to see some Bay Riders become Hells Angels," Silver says, adding he had heard at least one Rider was "prospecting" to become an Angel, something akin to rushing the biker fraternity.We requested an interview with the Riders' CEO, but he refused to speak on the record. We did talk to Dominic Guardado, son of the late Mark Guardado, who confirmed that he and his brother are Riders members but refused to discuss any connection to the Angels. "If you put only what the SFPD has to say, people will probably see only see the negative aspects," he said, adding, "We're all about the community. We're not around to intimidate people. We're motorcycle enthusiasts."