Authorities said the “mother chapter’’ of the Wheels of Soul club was in Philadelphia, where a suspect was led from court.
(Matt Rourke/Associated Press)
Indictments aim at multistate biker club
Authorities said the “mother chapter’’ of the Wheels of Soul club was in Philadelphia, where a suspect was led from court.
(Matt Rourke/Associated Press)
ST. LOUIS - A nationwide motorcycle gang was responsible for killings, robberies, drug distribution, and other crimes, according to a federal indictment unsealed in St. Louis yesterday.
The Wheels of Soul motorcycle club, with a “mother chapter’’ in Philadelphia, orchestrated violence and mayhem that included at least three murders, the indictment stated. The indictment accuses 18 men in seven states of racketeering, with some also accused of crimes murder, attempted murder, robbery, or kidnapping.
All but three of the men are in custody, said Terry Dougherty, a spokeswoman for the US attorney’s office in St. Louis. The three men being sought were based in Denver. The arrested suspects are from Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
Dennis Baker, FBI agent in charge of the St. Louis office, said authorities had “disrupted and dismantled the Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Outlaw Gang by targeting the senior leaders.’’
The indictment describes a well-organized, violent organization. A select few members of the gang achieved “Diamond’’ status for particularly violent activity, it alleges, saying gang members are required to carry weapons, mostly guns but also hammers or knives.
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
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