Outlaws Motorcycle Club

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Outlaws MC
AbbreviationA.O.A.[1]
Founded1935; 89 years ago (1935)[1]
FounderJohn Davis[2]
Founded atMcCook, Illinois, United States[3]
TypeOutlaw motorcycle club
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois, United States[4]
Region
Worldwide (275 chapters in 23 countries)[5]
Membership
3,000[6]
Websiteoutlawsmcworld.com

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club,

Hells Angels and the Bandidos.[5][6][7]

The club is designated an organized crime syndicate by numerous law enforcement and international intelligence agencies, including the United States Department of Justice, the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, and Europol.[8][9][10]

History

Originating as the McCook Outlaws MC, the club was founded by

Hells Angels. On January 1, 1965, the various aligned clubs incorporated as the American Outlaws Association.[14] The Outlaws further expanded into Florida in July 1967 by "patching over" the Iron Cross club in West Palm Beach.[15]

The club featured in a work of photojournalism called The Bikeriders published in 1967 by

Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs by Hunter S. Thompson, who warned Lyon that he should "get to hell out of that club unless it's absolutely necessary for photo action."[19]

During the early 1970s, a power struggle for control of the Outlaws developed between a faction of "

North Side of Chicago as a result the feud.[20][21]

The Outlaws' long-standing rivalry with the Hells Angels began when three Hells Angel bikers were executed by Outlaw members in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 27, 1974.[22][23][24] The triple murder was carried out in retaliation for the earlier beating of an Outlaw by a Hells Angel, which took place in New York City on December 31, 1973.[25][26][27] The Hells Angels declared war on the Outlaws during a club summit held in Cleveland later in 1974.[28] The conflict resulted in hundreds of fatalities in each club in the following decades.[27]

In 1977, the Outlaws became an international club when several chapters of the

Okinawa City.[32]

Insignia

The Outlaws' original insignia consisted of a head-on view of a motorcycle in a winged circle, which was hand-painted onto the back of members' jackets. In 1950, the club's logo was changed; a small skull replaced the winged motorcycle, and

registered trademark.[33] In 1963, the Outlaws began wearing a diamond-shaped "1%er" patch, becoming the first club east of the Mississippi River to do so.[34] The "one percenter" emblem was originally adopted by several California biker clubs beginning in 1960.[35] After incorporating as the American Outlaws Association in 1965, the club added an additional A.O.A. patch to its "colors", featuring an upstretched middle finger in a rounded triangle. The A.O.A. emblem was adopted as a parody of the A.M.A. logo.[36] A patch listing a member's rank within the organization is also worn by club officers.[37] An "S.S." patch featuring twin lightning bolts is allegedly awarded to members who have committed murder, attempted murder or a bombing on behalf of the club.[38][39] A black-and-white color scheme is associated with the Outlaws, as is Totenkopf imagery, symbols such as a hand clenching a pistol, and paraphernalia featuring the phrases "Support Black & White" and "Support Your Local Outlaws", or "SYLO".[1][37][40]

In 1969, the club adopted the motto "God forgives, Outlaws don't" ("GFOD").

Hells Angels has given rise to other phrases used by Outlaws members; namely "ADIOS" (the Spanish word for "goodbye", but in this case doubling as an acronym for "Angels Die In Outlaw States"),[34][41] and "All Hells Angels must die", or "AHAMD".[42] "Snitches are a dying breed" as well as the more generic "Outlaws forever, forever Outlaws" ("OFFO") are other mottos used by the club.[43] Patches featuring these various abbreviations are commonly worn by Outlaws members.[1][26]

Membership

To be eligible for Outlaws membership, applicants must be White men over the age of 21 and also be in possession of an American-made motorcycle of at least 750cc.[1][44] Outlaws in the United States and Canada are essentially limited to riding Indian, Victory and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which are most common in the club.[45] Outside of North America, however, this rule has been relaxed, allowing members to ride motorcycles manufactured in any country, provided they are in the chopper style.[3]

The following five criteria are considered when evaluating an aspiring Outlaws member:

  1. Owns and rides a Harley-Davidson
  2. Is competent in the mechanics of motorcycles
  3. Lives a lifestyle congruent with biker subculture and "treats other righteous bikers as bros"
  4. Is viewed by society as masculine in "outlook, behavior, and sexual orientation"
  5. Does not conform to "worldly values" but instead conforms to the lifestyle of the club[46]

To be formally inducted into club, applicants have to be sponsored by a member, and they begin as an associate, or "hangaround", in order to assist the chapter, before being made a prospective member, or "prospect"; if he is approved by the club, then a prospect is moved up to probationary, or "probate", status, a position in which he is required to demonstrate his commitment to the club.[1][47] A probate is identified by wearing a mandatory patch on a cut-off leather or denim vest reading: "Probationary Outlaws".[47] The probationary period typically lasts several months.[26][48] The highest level of membership in the Outlaws is "patched" or "patchwearing" member, which is attained by a unanimous vote of each chapter.[47][49] Upon becoming a full-fledged member, an Outlaw is permitted to wear a vest bearing the club's insignia, known as "colors", and to attend weekly "church" meetings.[42][47] The patch on a member's colors displaying the Outlaws emblem is surrounded by other patches denoting chapter and club membership information, which are called "rockers". These rocker patches are purchased directly from the international president.[42] Club rules dictate that the Outlaws' patches must be worn on leather or black denim (blue denim is banned) and that club regalia is not allowed to be worn by members' wives or girlfriends.[44] Women affiliated with the club, known as "old ladies", are, however, allowed to wear vests with patches reading: "Property of the Outlaws".[47][49] Outlaws are instructed to guard their colors with their lives, and it is forbidden for any item bearing the club's logo to touch the floor.[47]

Members are required to pay dues of $1,200 per year and to attend local, regional and national events.[3] Obligatory chapter "church" meetings are held weekly, and club motorcycle trips and parties which may last several days, known as "runs", are held throughout the year. National runs take place three or four times per year, regional runs occur between five and twenty times a year, and local runs typically occur weekly.[47] Membership dues are divided between the chapter and the region and are used to finance activities such as memorials and group excursions.[3][42] Outlaws members are usually assessed a fee if a fellow club member is in need of legal assistance.[47] It is compulsory for all members other than chapter presidents to take turns providing 24-hour armed guard at Outlaws clubhouses.[26][47] Indiscipline and rule breaches are punished with a $300 fine.[44] Members are also instructed by the club to attend funerals of fellow Outlaws.[42] Additionally, Outlaws members reportedly transfer their membership from chapter to chapter more frequently than members of other prominent motorcycle clubs.[50] Regarding contact with non-club members, Outlaws are required to adhere to a "strict no comment policy".[44]

After a year of membership in the club, Outlaws are eligible to sport a tattoo of the club's emblem as well as club slogans, such as "God forgives, Outlaws don't", or "GFOD".

Nazi-style "S.S." symbol.[51] Incarcerated Outlaws members are known as "Lounge Lizards", of which the club maintains a list and collects money on behalf of. An Outlaw who has served a prison sentence is entitled receive an "LL", or "Lounge Lizard", tattoo.[42] Other tattoos common with club members include "AHAMD", an acronym for "All Hells Angels must die".[26]

Members can leave the club in either "bad standing", "good standing", in retirement or when deceased. Retired Outlaws are permitted to wear a "dress shirt (retirement style)", according to the club's bylaws.[44] Some club leaders, however, such as James "Big Jim" Nolan, have at times upheld a ban on members retiring from the Outlaws.[47]

Organization

Outlaws chapters are governed by an elected officer corps consisting of a

enforcer".[1][47] Chapters follow guidelines that dictate election procedures, gatherings, and action against members who have violated the club's bylaws.[3] According to law enforcement, the Outlaws' internal enforcer squad is known as the "S.S.".[52] The club has 275 chapters located in 23 countries, in Asia, Europe and North America.[5][53] Each chapter is headquartered at a clubhouse, which is typically a building secured by concrete walls, steel doors, razor wire, guard dogs, and video surveillance. Clubhouses are used to host "church" meetings and parties.[42] Chapter presidents report to regional presidents, who oversee individual regions, which are divided and named by color, such as the red and blue regions. Regional president in turn report to the club's international president, who heads the Outlaws organization.[1]

The Outlaws' territory in the United States is divided into ten color-coded regions;[54] the black region (Indiana and Michigan),[55] the blue region (Pennsylvania),[56] the copper region (North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia),[57] the gold region (Wisconsin),[58] the gray region (Tennessee),[56] the green region (Kentucky, Ohio and Oklahoma),[59] the orange region (Florida),[56] the red region (New England and the Philadelphia metro area),[60] the silver region (Alabama and Georgia),[61] and the white region (Illinois).[62] Formerly, the club's territory was divided into three areas; "Central", headquartered in Chicago; "North", headquartered in Detroit; and "South", headquartered in Oklahoma City.[12] The Outlaws' international headquarters has historically been centred in the Midwest.[63] The South Side, Chicago chapter was designated the club's "mother chapter" in 1964 and is known as the "Mother Ship" among Outlaws members.[30][64] During the presidency of Harry "Taco" Bowman, from 1984 until 1999, the Outlaws' leadership was based in Detroit.[65] Bowman's successor, James "Big Frank" Wheeler, relocated the club's headquarters to Tampa, Florida.[66] The subsequent Outlaws international president, Jack Rosga, was based in Milwaukee.[66][67] In April 2021, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi alleged in court papers that the current international president of the Outlaws is John Ermin, the general manager of Pharaoh's Gentlemen's Club in Cheektowaga, New York.[68]

Support clubs

Each major Outlaws chapter maintains one to five

support clubs, smaller motorcycle clubs which are within the Outlaws' sphere of influence. Members of such clubs are permitted to attend Outlaws events and wear "support" patches
which identify them with the Outlaws, and are required to perform menial tasks and guard duties on the Outlaws' behalf. According to law enforcement, the Outlaws utilize support clubs to carry out retail-level drug distribution and violent crimes in order to insulate the club from possible criminal liability.[69]

The official, and primary, support club for the Outlaws is the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club, which is active internationally.[70] Other support clubs range from local groups, such as the Undertakers MC in Lexington, Kentucky,[71] to regional clubs like the Chosen Few MC, which is based in Canada and Upstate New York.[37] Although the Outlaws are a White-only club, the group's support clubs include African American motorcycle clubs, such as the Outcast MC.[72] In Norway, the Outlaws oversee the Black & White Crew, a "street crew" in which members are not required to own a motorcycle.[73][74]

Criminal allegations and incidents

The Outlaws are classified by various law enforcement agencies in the United States as one of the "big four"

Hells Angels, and the Pagans.[75][76][77] The Department of Justice contends that the club is involved in organized crime, including drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, prostitution rings, weapons trafficking, and violent acts directed at rival clubs.[8][78] One recurring allegation is that the Outlaws are responsible for the production and distribution of methamphetamine.[35][79] Law enforcement and intelligence agencies internationally, including the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada and Europol, also consider the Outlaws a criminal organization.[9][10]

Members have continuously denied that the Outlaws are an organized crime syndicate, asserted that the club is simply a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who live a nonconventional lifestyle, and described allegations by investigators and prosecutors as exaggerated.[48][49][79] A saying used by members of the club is: "Outlaws we are, RICO we're not".[48]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h The Infamous ‘One Percenters’: A Review of the Criminality, Subculture, and Structure of Modern Biker Gangs Danielle Shields (2012) Archived September 14, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b Bikers brought years of feuding -- and guns -- to town Michael Beebe and Dan Herbeck, The Buffalo News (October 2, 1994) Archived April 20, 2021, at archive.today
  3. ^ .
  4. ^ Ex-Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club boss Orvie Cochran gets early prison release Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times (April 16, 2021) Archived September 18, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b c Who are The Outlaws Motorcycle Club? Fionnuala Bourke, Birmingham Mail (27 June 2015) Archived July 2, 2023, at archive.today
  6. ^ a b Biker gang setting up shop? The Peterborough Examiner (November 10, 2010) Archived September 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Outlaws president resigns in disgust Peter Edwards, Toronto Star (30 March 2009) Archived September 18, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b "Motorcycle gang". U.S. Department of Justice. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  9. ^ a b 2003 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (2003) Archived July 2, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ a b Outlaw motorcycle gangs Europol Archived September 18, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Langton 2010, p. 40-41.
  12. ^ a b The Outlaws Motorcycle Club segag.org Archived September 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ a b Langton 2010, p. 41.
  14. ^ Langton 2010, p. 42.
  15. ^ a b Langton 2010, p. 43.
  16. ^ The Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club rides again Patrick Sisson, Chicago Reader (April 22, 2014) Archived 2022-11-09 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Chasing outlaws: How Danny Lyon changed photography BBC (25 October 2016) Archived September 18, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Danny Lyon's inside shots Sean O'Hagan, The Guardian (20 April 2014) Archived September 18, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Barker 2007, p. 4.
  20. ^ Outlaws Motorcycle Gang Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (September 1, 2004) Archived August 12, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Barker 2007, p. 9.
  22. ^ Langton 2010, p. 45.
  23. ^ Bloody and long lasting: the feud between Hells Angels and Outlaws Sean O'Neill, The Times (20 July 2009) Archived July 29, 2021, at archive.today
  24. ^ Lavigne 1996, p. 171.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g FBI agent describes history of Outlaw gang Bruce Vielmetti, Tampa Bay Times (May 5, 1995) Archived July 11, 2023, at archive.today
  26. ^ a b Legendary Hells Angels-Outlaws Biker War Can Be Traced Back To 1974 Triple Murder In South Florida Scott Burnstein, GangsterReport.com (April 23, 2017) Archived September 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (1983). Organized Crime in America.
  28. ^ Biker gangs in Canada Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (July 13, 2011) Archived April 29, 2014, at archive.today
  29. ^ a b c d Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs and Organized Crime (June 3, 2020) Archived April 16, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ Australian Bikie Gangs: Complete List of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs Amy Farrugia, New Idea (March 30, 2019) Archived October 17, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  31. . In late November 2006, the Outlaws became the first major international biker gang to open up a chapter in the Far East—with the granting of a full charter to a club in Okinawa City.
  32. ^ Outlaws MC - Trademark Details Justia (December 1, 2021) Archived August 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ a b 17 Things You Didn't Know About The Outlaws Motorcycle Club Arun Singh Pundir, hotcars.com (August 27, 2021) Archived September 15, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ a b Look Homeward Angel: Cycle Icon Sonny Barger Kick-Starts Life As A Free Man By Violating Parole Philip Martin, Phoenix New Times (December 2, 1992) Archived November 13, 2022, at archive.today
  35. ^ Langton 2010, p. 41-42.
  36. ^ a b c Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs: Aspects of the One-Percenter Culture for Emergency Department Personnel to Consider Anand N. Bosmia, James F. Quinn, Todd B. Peterson, Christoph J. Griessenauer, and R. Shane Tubbs, United States National Library of Medicine (July 15, 2014) Archived September 12, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Outlaw informant tells tale of ambush and terror Bruce Vielmetti, Tampa Bay Times (May 9, 1995) Archived October 9, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ Witness offers inside look at biker battle Carolyn Starks, Chicago Tribune (April 5, 1999) Archived August 3, 2023, at archive.today
  39. . A new line of designer biker merchandise, branded SYLO, was launched and brought in some much-needed cash—proving popular with associates of the Hell's Angels, until they realised the letters stood for 'Support Your Local Outlaws'.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i United States of America v. Harry Bowman FindLaw (August 20, 2002) Archived September 21, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ Informer testifies on bikers' battles Graham Brink, Tampa Bay Times (September 1, 2005) Archived September 14, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ a b c d e Seven face life sentences for Hells Angel's murder Duncan Campbell, The Guardian (November 28, 2008) Archived November 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  43. ^ Edwards, Peter (2018-06-27). "Outlaw bikers say they're loyal to Harley-Davidson, even as Trump's trade policies push the company to look overseas". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 1, 2023. Archived July 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  44. S2CID 143626689
    .
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k United States v. James Walter Starrett, Timothy Kevin Duke, Michael Lee Cave, Donald Joe Sears, James Thomas Nolan, Frederick Joseph Hegney FindLaw (June 27, 1995) Archived July 12, 2023, at archive.today
  46. ^ a b c Prosecutors try to depose the "top Outlaw' Graham Brink, Tampa Bay Times (March 21, 2001) Archived September 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^
    ABC 7 Chicago (November 16, 2017) Archived September 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ Outlaw motorcycle gangs USA overview National Institute of Justice (1991) Archived January 23, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  49. . The Outlaws MC dictates that "an Outlaw who commits murder, attempts murder or explodes a bomb on behalf of the Outlaws is entitled to wear 'lighting bolts', a Nazi-style 'SS' tattoo."
  50. ^ Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Deputy John Williams, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (2008) Archived November 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  51. ^ The History of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club Benjamin Smith, moneyinc.com (March 16, 2021) Archived August 20, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  52. ^ Outlaws gang members testify against former 'brothers' Frank Green and Reed Williams, Independent Tribune (October 26, 2010) Archived August 20, 2023, at archive.today
  53. ^ Members of Bay City Outlaws Motorcycle Club face sentencing in federal sting LaNia Coleman, The Bay City Times (July 30, 2009) Archived September 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  54. ^ a b c Droban & James 2017, p. 19.
  55. ^ Outlaws: Feds blasted our building Richard Gould, Hickory Daily Record (May 16, 2010) Archived August 20, 2023, at archive.today
  56. ^ Outlaws Motorcycle National President Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison United States Department of Justice (April 8, 2011) Archived September 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ Biker Royalty Brigade: Outlaws MC Nation Mourns Loss Of Fmr. President Big Frank Wheeler Scott Burnstein, GangsterReport.com (December 16, 2020) Archived September 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ Raid reveals structure of gang that's facing racketeering counts Portland Press Herald (June 20, 2010) Archived September 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  59. ^ Documents show area bikers got caught up in FBI sting Joe Johnson, Athens Banner-Herald (January 12, 2013) Archived July 28, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  60. ^ Former leader of Outlaws Motorcycle Club pleads guilty to racketeering conspiracy WITI (October 2, 2018) Archived September 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  61. ^ Matching Witts On Wheels: Outlaws MC Locking Down Allies In Their Fight Against The Pagans MC & Its Blue Wave Scott Burnstein, GangsterReport.com (June 29, 2022) Archived July 23, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  62. ^ Windy City Biker World Big Shot Orvie The Anvil Cops Plea, Outlaws MC Boss Has Murder Beefs Dropped Scott Burnstein, GangsterReport.com (October 3, 2018) Archived September 13, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  63. ^ Former Outlaws MC President Taco Bowman & The Detroit Mob Squared Off In ’90s Dice Game Dispute Scott Burnstein, GangsterReport.com (August 5, 2017) Archived October 3, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  64. ^ a b Biker Gangs In The Motor City: A History of Riding Rough Scott Burnstein, GangsterReport.com (July 2, 2014) Archived September 21, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  65. ^ Wisconsin chief of Outlaws biker gang gets 20 years in racketeering case St. Paul Pioneer Press (April 7, 2011) Archived July 1, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
  66. ^ Herbeck, Dan (20 April 2021). "GM of Pharaoh's strip club is leader of international biker club, prosecutor says". Buffalo News. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  67. ^ Indiana Drug Threat Assessment National Drug Intelligence Center (April 2001) Archived April 2, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  68. S2CID 144003167
    , Puppet Clubs. In addition to the Big 5 and the Independent clubs there are also "puppet" clubs that do the bidding of the larger clubs, act as potential recruiting sources, serve as cannon fodder in the wars between clubs, and give a portion of their illegal gains to the larger club. The Red Devils MC is well known as a puppet club for the HAMC as are the Black Pistons MC as a puppet club for the Outlaws. The Outlaw Nation and the Bandido Nation list their puppet clubs on their national websites.
  69. .
  70. ^ Notorious Outlaws motorcycle gang active in Jacksonville area, prosecutor says Jim Schoettler, The Florida Times-Union (September 17, 2023) Archived August 19, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  71. ^ Politijakt på kriminelle løpegutter Tanja Irén Berg, Romerikes Blad (August 29, 2007) Archived August 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  72. ^ Preventing organised crime originating from outlaw motorcycle clubs Tore Bjørgo, Springer Science+Business Media (30 October 2017) Archived September 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  73. ^ "2005 National Gang Threat Assessment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-12-22. National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association (2005)
  74. ^ Life Inside the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club Adam Morgan, Chicago (September 28, 2017) Archived June 12, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  75. ^ An Outlaws motorcycle club leader’s assassination adds to Tampa Bay’s bloody biker gang history Gabrielle Calise, Tampa Bay Times (January 10, 2019) Archived June 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  76. ^ Crimes of the Big Four Motorcycle Gangs Office of Justice Programs (April 2009) Archived August 20, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  77. ^ a b Outlaw bike gangs on rise Tampa Bay Times (September 24, 1991) Archived August 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography

External links