Monday, November 30, 2009
Gypsy Jokers, Hell's Angels, Rebels, Finks and Descendents bikie club members will for the first time join together
Gypsy Jokers, Hell's Angels, Rebels, Finks and Descendents bikie club members will for the first time join together in protest against the Serious and Organised Crime Control Act, which came into effect in June last year.Dubbed the Freedom of Association Protest Poker Run, about 400 bikies from SA and interstate will mass in Gawler, north of Adelaide, and ride through the Barossa Valley together on Saturday.
And as if that isn't a defiant enough show of unity, a group of motorcycling enthusiasts, including members of opposing clubs, are only a few application process steps away from forming a legitimate political party.The unlikely alliance, known as the FREE Australia Party, hopes to hit South Australia's premier where it hurts - in parliament.The party's leader, Paul Kuhn - a committee member of the Motorcycle Riders Association of SA and a Justice of the Peace - said the group was formed because of deep concern anyone associated with a member of a club would be found guilty under the law."The Government is now controlling and dictating relationships," he said."Not all bikers are criminals and this Act doesn't differentiate between the two."Mr Kuhn is not the only member of the public questioning the civil liberties said to be lost under the Act.The SA Law Society, the SA Council of Social Services, various Aboriginal groups, the Greens and the Australian Democrats have all voiced concern about the legislation.
"This law is designed exactly to find people guilty by association," Descendants club member Tom Mackie told AAP."We are a lot of the things that are said about us, but we are not all of them."
However, Premier Mike Rann said the lawyers who represented bikies and civil libertarians had painted an "almost fairytale concoction" that could lead the public to believe gang members had been awarded Australian of the Year.
And as if that isn't a defiant enough show of unity, a group of motorcycling enthusiasts, including members of opposing clubs, are only a few application process steps away from forming a legitimate political party.The unlikely alliance, known as the FREE Australia Party, hopes to hit South Australia's premier where it hurts - in parliament.The party's leader, Paul Kuhn - a committee member of the Motorcycle Riders Association of SA and a Justice of the Peace - said the group was formed because of deep concern anyone associated with a member of a club would be found guilty under the law."The Government is now controlling and dictating relationships," he said."Not all bikers are criminals and this Act doesn't differentiate between the two."Mr Kuhn is not the only member of the public questioning the civil liberties said to be lost under the Act.The SA Law Society, the SA Council of Social Services, various Aboriginal groups, the Greens and the Australian Democrats have all voiced concern about the legislation.
"This law is designed exactly to find people guilty by association," Descendants club member Tom Mackie told AAP."We are a lot of the things that are said about us, but we are not all of them."
However, Premier Mike Rann said the lawyers who represented bikies and civil libertarians had painted an "almost fairytale concoction" that could lead the public to believe gang members had been awarded Australian of the Year.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Elizabeth Diane Sluder, 25, is the daughter of local Hell's Angels president Dwight Sluder, 48, who was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head.
Daughter of a Hell's Angels member found murdered at a home on Baux Mountain Road last July was one of five people arrested following a joint investigation into the motorcycle gang involving the illegal possession and sale of firearms, illegal narcotics, counterfeiting, and larcenies.
Elizabeth Diane Sluder, 25, is the daughter of local Hell's Angels president Dwight Sluder, 48, who was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head.
Forsyth County Sheriff's Department Maj. Brad Stanley said the arrest came after authorities executed search warrants at three homes on Circle Drive, a home on Germanton Road and another home on Pisgah Circle in Kernersville. Stanley said one of the searched homes on Circle Drive is the Hell's Angels clubhouse.
Stanley said deputies seized guns, explosives, illegal controlled substances such as methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana.
In addition to Sluder's arrest, William David Taylor, 41, Oscar Benjamin Tadlock Jr., 46, and Jason Edward Beard, 42 -- all said to be affiliated with the gang -- were arrested and charged Monday. A fifth person was arrested Tuesday in the investigation. Stanley said Robert Joe Pugh, 56, was arrested and charged with larceny. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
Sluder was charged with possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a weapon of mass destruction and was released from the Forsyth County Jail after posting a $10,000.
Taylor was charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, selling methamphetamine, possession with the intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for drugs, possession of stolen firearm, possession of weapon of mass destruction and felony larceny. He was being held on a $500,000.
Tadlock Jr. was charged with trafficking opium/heroin, possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, selling cocaine, possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for drugs. He was being held on a $260,000 bond.
Beard was charged with possession with the intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released after posting a $15,000 bond.
The investigation into Dwight Sluder's death remains open.
Investigators said in September that there were no signs of forced entry, no signs of a robbery and no signs of a struggle. Investigators have said they think Sluder's killer knew him and could have been a business acquaintance or a member of a rival gang.
http://www.wxii12.com/news/21714212/detail.html
http://www.wxii12.com/news/21714212/detail.html
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
49-year-old career criminal and police snitch Franco Atanasovic is back in court, accused of bilking friends and neighbours of tens of thousands
49-year-old career criminal and police snitch Franco Atanasovic is back in court, accused of bilking friends and neighbours of tens of thousands of dollars each while living under the witness protection program.
The Winnipeg Sun is not identifying Atanasovic's alleged victims, where the incidents occurred, or any other details that might reveal his whereabouts. The alleged victims say the fraud occurred as Atanasovic was set to testify against local Hells Angels Ian Grant and Ernie Dew.
Two of the alleged victims say they notified Atanasovic's RCMP handler of his activities and were threatened with arrest if they exposed him.
"I said maybe a guy should go to the media so that other people aren't getting taken by this guy," said one man. "That's when he proceeded to tell me that if I did he would have me arrested with interfering with an RCMP investigation."
The Sun has confirmed that Atanasovic, under a new name, is before a provincial court outside Manitoba charged with fraud. His alleged victims say he convinced them to give him up to $60,000 each in return for goods that were never delivered.
Atanasovic's testimony was instrumental in the convictions of Grant and Dew. Grant was found guilty at trial of drug trafficking and extortion and sentenced in May 2007 to 15 years in prison.
Dew, the former Manitoba chapter president, was found guilty of drug and organized crime charges and sentenced last March to eight and a half years in prison. The Manitoba Court of Appeal has since overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial.
One victim who lived on the same street as Atanasovic claims he told him his real name and that he worked undercover for police.
"He actually told me the first time I met him that he worked undercover for them against the Hells Angels in Winnipeg," the man said. "He said that was why he had the motorcycle in the garage. He said the RCMP bought him the house and moved him here."
The man claims Atanasovic strung him along for months, promising him delivery of the goods he had bought.
When the man met another neighbour who also claimed to be a victim and learned about Atanasovic's criminal background, the man demanded Atanasovic give him his money back.
The man says Atanasovic continued to stall him, promising imminent delivery of his goods. Atanasovic later moved to a $1.5-million home in the same city and allegedly continued to defraud new victims, one man told the Sun.
Two subsequent victims said they never would have been cheated if police had taken action when warned of Atanasovic's alleged activities. One man, who allegedly lost $50,000 to Atanasovic, said RCMP "turned a blind eye" to Atanasovic's criminal activities. "I can't believe that they can put a guy in witness protection, knowing he is continuing criminal activities, and not get involved," he said. Victims say their complaints went unanswered by the RCMP, who advised them to file civil lawsuits against Atanasovic. He was eventually charged criminally following an investigation by municipal police. Atanasovic was set to testify against local Hells Angels Ian Grant and Ernie Dew. Two of the alleged victims say they notified Atanasovic's RCMP handler of his activities and were threatened with arrest if they exposed him. "I said maybe a guy should go to the media so that other people aren't getting taken by this guy," said one man. "That's when he proceeded to tell me that if I did he would have me arrested with interfering with an RCMP investigation."
court outside Manitoba charged with fraud. His alleged victims say he convinced them to give him up to $60,000 each in return for goods that were never delivered.
Atanasovic's testimony was instrumental in the convictions of Grant and Dew. Grant was found guilty at trial of drug trafficking and extortion and sentenced in May 2007 to 15 years in prison. Dew, the former Manitoba chapter president, was found guilty of drug and organized crime charges and sentenced last March to eight and a half years in prison. The Manitoba Court of Appeal has since overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial. One victim who lived on the same street as Atanasovic claims he told him his real name and that he worked undercover for police.
"He actually told me the first time I met him that he worked undercover for them against the Hells Angels in Winnipeg," the man said. "He said that was why he had the motorcycle in the garage. He said the RCMP bought him the house and moved him here." The man claims Atanasovic strung him along for months, promising him delivery of the goods he had bought. When the man met another neighbour who also claimed to be a victim and learned about Atanasovic's criminal background, the man demanded Atanasovic give him his money back. The man says Atanasovic continued to stall him, promising imminent delivery of his goods. Atanasovic later moved to a $1.5-million home in the same city and allegedly continued to defraud new victims, one man told the Sun. Two subsequent victims said they never would have been cheated if police had taken action when warned of Atanasovic's alleged activities. One man, who allegedly lost $50,000 to Atanasovic, said RCMP "turned a blind eye" to Atanasovic's criminal activities. "I can't believe that they can put a guy in witness protection, knowing he is continuing criminal activities, and not get involved," he said.
Victims say their complaints went unanswered by the RCMP, who advised them to file civil lawsuits against Atanasovic. He was eventually charged criminally following an investigation by municipal police.
The Winnipeg Sun is not identifying Atanasovic's alleged victims, where the incidents occurred, or any other details that might reveal his whereabouts. The alleged victims say the fraud occurred as Atanasovic was set to testify against local Hells Angels Ian Grant and Ernie Dew.
Two of the alleged victims say they notified Atanasovic's RCMP handler of his activities and were threatened with arrest if they exposed him.
"I said maybe a guy should go to the media so that other people aren't getting taken by this guy," said one man. "That's when he proceeded to tell me that if I did he would have me arrested with interfering with an RCMP investigation."
The Sun has confirmed that Atanasovic, under a new name, is before a provincial court outside Manitoba charged with fraud. His alleged victims say he convinced them to give him up to $60,000 each in return for goods that were never delivered.
Atanasovic's testimony was instrumental in the convictions of Grant and Dew. Grant was found guilty at trial of drug trafficking and extortion and sentenced in May 2007 to 15 years in prison.
Dew, the former Manitoba chapter president, was found guilty of drug and organized crime charges and sentenced last March to eight and a half years in prison. The Manitoba Court of Appeal has since overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial.
One victim who lived on the same street as Atanasovic claims he told him his real name and that he worked undercover for police.
"He actually told me the first time I met him that he worked undercover for them against the Hells Angels in Winnipeg," the man said. "He said that was why he had the motorcycle in the garage. He said the RCMP bought him the house and moved him here."
The man claims Atanasovic strung him along for months, promising him delivery of the goods he had bought.
When the man met another neighbour who also claimed to be a victim and learned about Atanasovic's criminal background, the man demanded Atanasovic give him his money back.
The man says Atanasovic continued to stall him, promising imminent delivery of his goods. Atanasovic later moved to a $1.5-million home in the same city and allegedly continued to defraud new victims, one man told the Sun.
Two subsequent victims said they never would have been cheated if police had taken action when warned of Atanasovic's alleged activities. One man, who allegedly lost $50,000 to Atanasovic, said RCMP "turned a blind eye" to Atanasovic's criminal activities. "I can't believe that they can put a guy in witness protection, knowing he is continuing criminal activities, and not get involved," he said. Victims say their complaints went unanswered by the RCMP, who advised them to file civil lawsuits against Atanasovic. He was eventually charged criminally following an investigation by municipal police. Atanasovic was set to testify against local Hells Angels Ian Grant and Ernie Dew. Two of the alleged victims say they notified Atanasovic's RCMP handler of his activities and were threatened with arrest if they exposed him. "I said maybe a guy should go to the media so that other people aren't getting taken by this guy," said one man. "That's when he proceeded to tell me that if I did he would have me arrested with interfering with an RCMP investigation."
court outside Manitoba charged with fraud. His alleged victims say he convinced them to give him up to $60,000 each in return for goods that were never delivered.
Atanasovic's testimony was instrumental in the convictions of Grant and Dew. Grant was found guilty at trial of drug trafficking and extortion and sentenced in May 2007 to 15 years in prison. Dew, the former Manitoba chapter president, was found guilty of drug and organized crime charges and sentenced last March to eight and a half years in prison. The Manitoba Court of Appeal has since overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial. One victim who lived on the same street as Atanasovic claims he told him his real name and that he worked undercover for police.
"He actually told me the first time I met him that he worked undercover for them against the Hells Angels in Winnipeg," the man said. "He said that was why he had the motorcycle in the garage. He said the RCMP bought him the house and moved him here." The man claims Atanasovic strung him along for months, promising him delivery of the goods he had bought. When the man met another neighbour who also claimed to be a victim and learned about Atanasovic's criminal background, the man demanded Atanasovic give him his money back. The man says Atanasovic continued to stall him, promising imminent delivery of his goods. Atanasovic later moved to a $1.5-million home in the same city and allegedly continued to defraud new victims, one man told the Sun. Two subsequent victims said they never would have been cheated if police had taken action when warned of Atanasovic's alleged activities. One man, who allegedly lost $50,000 to Atanasovic, said RCMP "turned a blind eye" to Atanasovic's criminal activities. "I can't believe that they can put a guy in witness protection, knowing he is continuing criminal activities, and not get involved," he said.
Victims say their complaints went unanswered by the RCMP, who advised them to file civil lawsuits against Atanasovic. He was eventually charged criminally following an investigation by municipal police.
Mark Larner handed himself in to police in the Bristol area earlier this month
Mark Larner was granted bail after being found guilty of riot at Birmingham Crown Court in May, but failed to appear for sentencing alongside seven other bikers in June.The 47-year-old, formerly of Tudor Road, Upper Gornal, near Dudley, handed himself in to police in the Bristol area earlier this month.Three other members of the Hell’s Angels and four members of the Outlaws motorcycle gang were convicted of riot for their part in violent clashes which erupted at Birmingham International Airport on January 20 last year.Larner, whose co-defendants were each jailed for six years, was due to be sentenced by Judge Patrick Thomas QC at Birmingham Crown Court
Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi, 29, chief of the Comacheros will face prosecution over the murder of Anthony Zervas, 29,
LEADER of an Australian motorcycle gang has been charged with murder over a fatal fight involving rival biker gangs at Sydney airport, Australia.
Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi, 29, chief of the Comacheros will face prosecution over the murder of Anthony Zervas, 29, who was bludgeoned to death during a mass brawl involving up to 20 bikers at Sydney's domestic terminal in March.
Police said they arrested Hawi at his home Tuesday and charged him with the murder of Zervas, the brother of a Hells Angel gang member.
Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi, 29, chief of the Comacheros will face prosecution over the murder of Anthony Zervas, 29, who was bludgeoned to death during a mass brawl involving up to 20 bikers at Sydney's domestic terminal in March.
Police said they arrested Hawi at his home Tuesday and charged him with the murder of Zervas, the brother of a Hells Angel gang member.
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