An indictment was unsealed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, charging 16 individuals from two outlaw motorcycle gangs—the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) and the Red Devils Motorcycle Club (RDMC)—for their alleged roles in a criminal enterprise engaging in violent crimes in and around Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina. The RDMC serves as the primary support club for the HAMC across the country.
Five defendants face murder charges linked to racketeering, accused of killing a member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (PMC), a rival gang, on January 1, 2023, in Raleigh. Two more defendants are charged as accessories after the fact for their alleged involvement following that murder.
Eight defendants are charged with attempted murder tied to racketeering and assault with a dangerous weapon related to a violent incident involving PMC members on July 22, 2023, in a Dairy Queen parking lot in Wade, North Carolina.
Additionally, one defendant faces obstruction charges for allegedly trying to prevent a witness from cooperating with the investigation into this case.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs are notorious for lawless and violent behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte Field Division. “These criminal organizations are allegedly responsible for a long list of illegal activities, including firearms trafficking, assault, and homicide, and operate with absolutely no regard for the safety of law enforcement or the community. ATF is proud to stand with our law enforcement partners and be part of an effort to disrupt and disband such a violent and dangerous network.”
The majority of the charges fall under the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR) statute. This statute prohibits specific violent offenses when committed to join, maintain a position in, or advance within a criminal enterprise. The violent offenses covered by this law consist of murder, kidnapping, maiming, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault that leads to serious bodily injury, and threats to commit violent acts.
The indictment charges the following offenses:
Vidaul Rashaad Reed, 31, also known as Hootie, of Columbus, Mississippi; Anthony Edward Cheever, 34, also known as Rowdy, of Garner, North Carolina; David William Stephens, 26, also known as 007, of Spring Lake, North Carolina; Martinus Jermaine Starks, 43, also known as Tee, of Fayetteville; and Tyler Scott Grissom, 31, also known as Snow, of Warrenton, North Carolina, are all allegedly members of the RDMC and are each charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharge of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and, in doing so, causing death related to the alleged murder of a member of the PMC on Jan. 1, 2023. Murder in aid of racketeering carries a mandatory life sentence, if convicted.
Christopher Dylan Manor, 28, of Fayetteville; and Robert Scott Brown, 62, of Cumberland County, North Carolina; are both charged with accessory after the fact to the Jan. 1, 2023, murder. As alleged, Manor was a member of the RDMC at the time of the alleged offense and Brown is a member of the HAMC. Each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, if convicted.
Jason Lee Hathaway, 47, of Michigan City, Indiana; Fred Joseph Prosperi, 42, also known as Freddy and Snow Boy, of Wheeling, West Virginia; William Scott Gardner, 33, also known as Big Will, of Garner, North Carolina; Terry Lewis Akins Jr., 51, of Palatka, Florida; J.R. Nevarez Darr, 31, of Raleigh; Darrell Dewayne Strickland Jr., 26, of Fayetteville; William Franklin Beasley, 64, of Nashville; and David Lee Woodall, 45, of Fayetteville are charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering related to the alleged attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon of members of the PMC on July 22, 2023, in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen restaurant in Wade, North Carolina. They were all allegedly members of the HAMC at the time of the offense. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty 30 years in prison.
Jonathan Michael Robarge, 40, of Orlando, is charged with tampering with a witness, victim or informant by harassment. Robarge allegedly has ties to both the HAMC and the RDMC. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty three years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
