COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill
Nettles and Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation stated that 19 individuals were arrested today after the return
of a 91-count indictment charging members and associates of the Rock Hell City
Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy
(RICO-18 U.S.C. §1962), narcotics violations (21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846), Hobbs Act
robbery (18 U.S.C. §1951), money laundering (18 U.S.C. §1956), and firearm
violations [18 U.S.C. §§ 922 and 924; 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d), 5845(a)(7), and
5871]. Those arrested were Daniel Eugene Bifield, a/k/a Diamond Dan
(Leesville); Mark William Baker, a/k/a Lightning (Lancaster); David Channing
Oiler, a/k/a Gravel Dave (Lancaster); Bruce James Long, a/k/a Bruce-Bruce (West
Columbia); Richard Thrower, a/k/a Little Mark, Rat (Lancaster); David Pryor,
a/k/a Yard Owl (York); James Frederick Keach, Jr., a/k/a Big Fred (Pelion);
Frank Enriquez, Jr., a/k/a Big Frank (Rock Hill); Donald Boersma, a/k/a
Brooklyn Donnie (Clover); Lisa Ellen Bifield, a/k/a Lisa Ellen Meyers, Lisa
Ellen Stockton (Leesville); Johanna Looper, a/k/a JoJo (York); Kerry Chitwood
(Gastonia, North Carolina); Carlos Hernandez (Charlotte, North Carolina);
Ronald Dean Byrum, Jr., a/k/a Big Ron (Gastonia, North Carolina); Trent Allen
Brown (West Columbia); Bruce Ranson Wilson, a/k/a Diesel (Swansea); Thomas
McManus Plyler, a/k/a Uncle Tom (Rock Hill); Jamie Hobbs Long (Lancaster); and
Somying Anderson, a/k/a Ying (West Columbia).
The arrest warrants were served along
with the execution of 23 search warrants in North and South Carolina. During
today’s operation, law enforcement seized methamphatamine, cocaine, marijuana,
pills, and approximately 100 firearms, including two automatic machine guns.
Special Agent in Charge David Thomas stated, “The significance of the extensive
and long-term investigative efforts that resulted in the arrests today
represent the FBI’s continuing commitment to the dismantling of organized
criminal organizations. By working in a joint environment with federal, state,
and local counterparts, we send a clear message that such pervasive criminal
activities will not be tolerated.”
These arrests follow a two-year
interagency investigation by the South Carolina Hells Angels Task Force
(SCHATF). Assisting in the investigation and today’s operation were the Federal
Bureau of Investigation-Columbia and Charlotte Field Divisions; Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Lexington County Sheriff’s
Department; Lexington Police Department; Rock Hill Police Department; York
County Sheriff’s Office; Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office; State Law
Enforcement Division; Gastonia, Police Department; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Department; Gaston County Sheriff’s Office; and North Carolina State Bureau of
Investigation.
United States Attorney Bill Nettles
commended the inter-agency cooperation, saying, “Today’s arrests and seizures
are an important step in our ongoing fight against criminal gangs operating in
South Carolina. This investigation is also another example of what can be
accomplished through a close partnership among local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies.” The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorney Jay N. Richardson.
The United States Attorney stated that
all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants
are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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