222 18th Avenue, this is an address here in Rockford. Nothing special about it except for the fact that one of the deadliest biker gangs in the world frequents this location. It’s the unofficial official clubhouse of Rockford’s Hells Angels. And now it’s been condemned.
According to WREX, “The social club was illegally operating inside the property. Rockford Police were on scene during Thursday’s condemnation, which took place without incident. The city also says representatives were able to discuss the issues with someone from the club on-site and advise on what steps needed to be taken next.”
If the Hells Angels wanted to keep the Rockford hot spot going they would’ve been there to put up a fight. They’re probably moving out like most Rockfordians are doing. Trust me. A couple cops hanging out wouldn’t have stopped them.
Back in the day when I was going to school in Tucson, AZ. My roommate was part of the Fiji Fraternity. They had stolen the design of the Hells Angels jackets and turned them into t-shirts.
It didn’t take long for a couple members to show up at the door and demand that ALL shirts be turned in. They didn’t ask nicely either. Luckily for my roommate, he wasn’t there. So, he got to keep his life AND his t-shirt. It’s the little things, right?!
That’s according to the city, which says the a social club was illegally operating inside the property located at 222 18th Avenue in Rockford.
The city says proper steps were never taken to be approved for that use by the city’s zoning ordinances. Officials say further investigation onsite determined alcohol was being served there without a license.
The city says to operate as a social club at that location, an application would need to be reviewed by the zoning board of appeals and approved by City Council and other staff, including representatives from fire prevention, public works, zoning, legal and building, have reviewed the plan. Those factions would consider safety of people on site inside the club as well as compliance with codes and ordinances.
Rockford Police were on scene during Thursday’s condemnation, which took place without incident. The city also says representatives were able to discuss the issues with someone from the club on-site and advise on what steps needed to be taken next.
About 100 members of Brevard’s motorcycle and car community turned out to the intersection of Minton Road and Hield Road in West Melbourne on Thursday night to mourn their fallen friend and brother, 24-year-old Joshua Cramer of Palm Bay.
Cramer was killed when his motorcycle collided with an SUV at the intersection Wednesday evening.
Attendees held a candleight vigil by the roadside and erected a memorial at the spot Cramer died. The memorial, a large white cross, was capped with a helmet Cramer had been painting in the days before he died. The helmet was tattooed with words of loss and dedication from Cramer’s family and friends.
More: FHP: Motorcyclist involved in fatal accident in South Brevard
“It was unfinished, but we figured, what better way to remember him with everybody signing it, and something we love,” said Cramer’s friend, Andrew Dorsey.
Dorsey, president of the “Shameless” motor club, helped organized the service. Cramer had only recently become an official member of the group but was much loved.
“We’re not a club. We’re a family. That’s what we’re based on, is family. Josh was definitely, definitely a family man,” Dorsey said.
Another of Cramer’s friends, Richard Bahre, was riding behind Cramer before the accident. They were on one of their many nighttime rides, on the way to meet up with friends, Bahre said.
Bahre suffered minor injuries when his bike collided with the back of Cramer’s.
“We were literally sitting at the intersection, talking to each other. Started riding, next thing you know …” Bahre said, his jaw tight, his eyes searching. “He told me he loved me and everything. Everything was going awesome. He’s clicking back to music. That’s the last thing I ever heard from him.”
More: 24-year-old motorcyclist killed in Palm Bay crash
“My best friend, my brother, my roommate. He’s been everything to me,” he said. “His spirit, his soul. His moral character. Flawless. He never liked anybody being sad.”
Members of the biker community were sad and exasperated to see another of their brothers die on the road.
“Enough with the stereotype that all bikers are the same — we’re not,” said Cody Quinn, who turned out in support. “We have families. We have kids. We have wives. We have husbands. We’re people.”
More: Titusville motorcyclist killed in crash on U.S. 1
“We just ask that everybody keep your eyes on the road, keep your hands off your cell phones and drive safely.”
Cramer leaves behind his mother and father, his siblings, and a 3-year-old son.
Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717,
or esrogers@floridatoday.com
Twitter: @EricRogersFT
Joseph Mulholland’s attorney had previously said that his client was simply Dr. James Kauffman’s patient, and was receiving opioids to manage his pain following five surgeries.
He said he had no connection with an opioid distribution ring allegedly run by Kauffman, the husband of slain radio host April Kauffman, and the Pagans motorcycle gang members.
Thursday, Mulholland, 53, of Villas, told a different story. He admitted that he obtained prescriptions for oxycontin from Kauffman and sold them to reputed Pagans leader Francis Augello on 6 or 7 occasions.
He pleaded guilty to a second-degree racketeering charge with the understanding that he cooperate in the cases against his codefendants. He was originally charged with first-degree racketeering.
James Kauffman was accused of arranging his wife’s murder after she threatened to go to the police about the drug operation, Atlantic County prosecutors say.
Kauffman and Augello were charged with her murder in January.
The doctor later killed himself in jail, leaving Augello as the sole murder defendant and six others charged with racketeering in the drug scheme.
Mulholland on Thursday described himself as a worker in the scheme and Augello as “the boss.”
Mullholland, considered an associate of the Pagans, said he received $1,000 for each transaction.
When Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury asked him what Augello received, he replied, “A lot more than that.”
Mulholland faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced Oct. 25.
Augello and the remaining defendants have entered not-guilty pleas.
Augello is accused of recruiting a hitman to kill April Kauffman, who was shot to death in her Linwood home in 2012. The hired gun later died of a drug overdose, prosecutors said.
As part of the drug scheme, authorities have said that Kauffman, an endocrinologist, agreed to write prescriptions for oxycodone to several people referred by Augello. Kauffman received cash for each referral. Those referred by Augello paid him cash and/or gave him a share of the pills.
Proceeds from the operation profited the motorcycle gang and the doctor’s office, prosecutor’s allege. Some of the money was used to purchase guns, guitars, vehicles and a home in Arizona.
A grand jury indicted Augello in April on charges of murder, attempted murder and leading the opioid distribution network. He entered a not-guilty plea on the charges later that month.
Augello is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to have the doctor killed in jail over fears that he would reveal details about the murder and drug conspiracy.
During Thursday’s hearing, DeLury set a July 17 date for Augello’s pre-trial conference. His tentative trial date is Sept. 11.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.
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