If you’ve read or heard about violent gangs in the past few years, the story probably involved MS-13, the Central American band that has expanded to the United States in a big way. President Donald Trump has cited this gang, and others like it, in his push to restrict both legal and illegal immigration from these countries.
There have also been warnings about New Jersey affiliates of the Bloods and their Los Angeles-based rivals, the Crips, taking hold in large sections of the state, as indicated by signs and “colors” found in various places.
Season 2 Episode 29 Has Motorcycle Protocol Outlived its usefulness
Illicit drug trade, assaults and even murders make these organizations continuing threats to safe streets and communities. The state police and local authorities continue to monitor them. But, a different violent blast from the past is said to be reasserting itself. The Pagans motorcycle gang, with a notorious history in South Jersey two and three decades ago, is back with a vengeance, according to testimony at a State Commission of Investigation hearing last week.
The outlaw bikers were once a familiar scourge in Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa., as well as the southern half of New Jersey. Current leaders of the organization appeared at the SCI hearing, but stayed silent until Hugo Nieves, a national Pagans’ vice president who lives in South Jersey, stated “It is not the policy of this club to engage in any criminal activity. And that’s all I will say about that.”
That’s not what SCI investigators or specialized units in the state police believe. They say that under Nieves and national President Keith “Conan” Richter, who took over in 2018, the Pagans have initiated a big membership drive on the East Coast. Officials say that some New Jersey chapters have seen a 50 percent membership increase, and the Pagans have a bigger presence now in North Jersey than in past incarnations. In addition to the drug trade, they’re selling illegal weapons, initiating clashes with other biker gangs, and mistreating women who associate with the members.
No one in South Jersey needs to be reminded of the violence that outlaw bikers can do. The Franklin Township murder of township Police Sgt. Ippolito “Lee” Gonzalez on May 6, 1995, was attributed to two members of the Warlocks, a similarly constructed rival of the Pagans.
This year, an Upper Township Pagans member, Noah Frost, was indicted in Atlantic County for the attempted murder of another Pagan, Benjamin DiPilla. Prosecutors allege that Frost allegedly ran over DiPilla, who was riding his motorcycle, with a truck. Police think the incident stemmed from a road-rage dispute.
And, last October, Pagan biker Ferdinand Augello was convicted in the bizarre 2012 murder of April Kauffman, a well-known Atlantic City radio talk host, and the wife of a prominent Atlantic County physician, Dr. James Kauffman. James Kauffman killed himself in prison while awaiting trial last year, but investigators believe he engaged the biker gang to kill his wife to prevent her from exposing a drug ring in which he and the Pagans were involved.
None of this is romanticized stuff of the street rumbles of “West Side Story.” While MS-13, the Bloods and Crips, and various hyperlocal gangs have the been the constant the focus of law enforcement in recent years, the resurgence of the Pagans and similar groups may be even scarier. The SCI has sounded the warning, and it’s hoped that those who are charged with upholding the law have elevated these outlaw motorcycle gangs to the level of supervision they now require.
NJ.com
Insane Throttle 
10 responses to “New Jersey Crime Commission says Pagans biker gang is back with a vengeance and a threat to N.J”
Not all or really any mc clubs are gangs ,get it straight we are clubs
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Every association you mentioned in this article is why we need to carry concealed in NJ..no more fucking anti gun bullshit excuses!!!
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Having come from a world were my parents rode with a branch of Hells Angels, I know first hand that they are involved in the drug trade, i was young but i can still clearly see them wieghing and packaging the drugs for sale, now with that said, not all bikers are bad, my cousin is an independant biker, and we have bikers that get gifts every chritmas for children. Are thier bad groups out thier yes, but you cant label all motor cycle clubes as bad, cause there are also alot of good ones to.
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SF81FS. FUCK THE REST!!
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The women being below dogs is not true I’ve the respect and protectiveness they show their women the uplifted status of respect when they wear their property jackets etc. I asked a long time Pagan member about the dog thing and he explained it this way ,which I hope I’m not betraying a trust by saying this but he said ;” if you lock your dog and old lady in the trunk for an hour who do you think will be happy to see you?”. I thought about it and realized a Grimm scenereo it’s dogs love for his owner verses the righteous rath of the woman,or the woman may call the cops etc cause she’s mad but the dog will still love his master no matter and just be happy to see him. But they don’t treat the women bad. That’s not what it’s about.
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I witness a pagan beating his old lady In a bar. But I also witnessed a pagan getting a beating from his brothers for beating that woman. People do stupid things when they’re drunk. He paid his dues. I really never met a bad pagen and they all seem to be pretty good guys. And that’s it .
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You’re a dumb shit! Pagan ol ladies are trusted with the very lives of their old men. They will stand beside them in any situation needed. Respect is always present. I don’t know where you get your info from but don’t involve the Pagan Nation in it!😡
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Biccer ptobs a holes like sex trafficing foriegn gangs opiods .
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Look, who gives a squat? The real question is with several million black gang bangers, slinging crack and H, killing hundreds per year, and making life altogether miserable in Jersey City, Trenton, etc, why in the holy F are we worried about the Pagans?
Rhetorical question, answer is because bikers are generally right wing and patriotic.
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Gangs just doing gang shit. You’re not a Club, you’re a Gang. Own it.
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