Hells Angels, Red Devils motorcycle gang members charged with racketeering in North Carolina

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that it has charged 16 members in two biker gangs with a variety of offenses that include murder and racketeering. Members of the Hells Angels and the Red Devils motorcycle gangs are suspected of being behind a slew of “violent criminal activity” in Raleigh and Fayetteville, NC according to a DOJ news release. The Red Devils are a branch gang of the Hells Angels.

Five of the gang members were charged with murder in aid of racketeering for the alleged killing of a rival Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (PMC) member on Jan. 1, 2023, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Another two suspects were charged with accessory after the fact for their alleged behavior after the killing.



Eight of the suspects were charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering. This was in addition to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon in support of racketeering over their roles in the alleged assault against PMC members in Wade, NC on July 22, 2023. The final defendant is charged with obstruction of justice when he allegedly tried to intimate a witness not to cooperate with police investigating the case.

“According to the indictment, these defendants were leaders, organizers, and members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and committed multiple crimes to advance their positions in this violent gang,” said General Nicole M. Argentieri, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney and head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division.

“The gang’s alleged violent acts included the murder of a rival gang member on a public street, and the assault and attempted murder of other rival gang members in a restaurant parking lot. This indictment demonstrates that, along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, the Criminal Division is committed to holding accountable those responsible for acts of violence that terrorize local communities.”

“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.”

A lawyer, who is representing one of the bikers charged with murder, told ABC11, "I echo US Attorney Easley's comment that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in this country."