Insane Throttle Staff

Hells Angels Members Sentenced in Federal Court for Violent Clash with Rival Pagan’s Motorcycle Club

In a significant development underscoring ongoing tensions among outlaw motorcycle clubs, two members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) have been handed prison sentences for their roles in a brazen, public attempted murder tied to longstanding rivalries. David Lee Woodall, 47, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Jason Lee Hathaway, 48, of Columbia City, Indiana, each pleaded guilty to charges of Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) involving the attempted murder of rivals from the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (PMC).

On June 10 and June 12, 2026, U.S. District Court sentenced Hathaway to 51 months behind bars and Woodall to 57 months. These terms reflect the serious nature of the offenses, which occurred in broad daylight at a busy fast-food location and endangered innocent bystanders.

The Incident: A Daytime Attack at a Dairy Queen

The events unfolded on July 22, 2023, in Cumberland County, North Carolina. According to court documents, Hathaway rode his motorcycle into a Dairy Queen parking area during regular business hours. Spotting three members of the rival Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, he brandished a hammer and issued threats. He swung at one victim but missed, instead shattering the glass of their vehicle.

Rather than retreating, Hathaway contacted fellow Hells Angels members for reinforcement. Woodall and others responded swiftly, converging on the scene. The group then escalated the confrontation in the parking lot, assaulting the Pagan’s members with hammers, brass knuckles, and punches. The violent melee only ended when one of the targeted individuals fired shots in self-defense, fatally striking one of the attackers. Multiple unrelated vehicles sustained damage amid the chaos, highlighting the reckless disregard for public safety.

This incident was not an isolated outburst but part of a broader pattern. Federal authorities describe the Hells Angels as a transnational outlaw motorcycle gang that employs violence, intimidation, and threats to maintain dominance and enforce internal rules. The club maintains support organizations, such as the Red Devils Motorcycle Club, which serve as recruiting pipelines. A standing directive reportedly existed within the group to confront and eliminate members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club.

Broader Context: Part of a Larger Racketeering Probe

The sentences stem from a wider federal investigation into Hells Angels and Red Devils activities in the Eastern District of North Carolina. In October 2024, a federal indictment charged 16 individuals from these groups with various racketeering-related offenses, including murder and attempted murder in aid of the enterprise. The Dairy Queen attack formed one key component of the alleged criminal conduct.

Prosecutors emphasized that such actions align with the gang’s operational model of using force to settle territorial or personal disputes. The case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations, cartels, and violent enterprises through coordinated law enforcement efforts involving the Department of Justice, ATF, and local agencies like the Raleigh and Fayetteville Police Departments and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the sentencing. Deputy Chief Kelly Pearson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Peaden and Charity Wilson handled the prosecution.

Implications for Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Enforcement

This case illustrates the persistent challenges law enforcement faces with outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs). The Hells Angels, one of the most notorious OMGs globally, has a long history of alleged involvement in racketeering, drug trafficking, and violent crimes across multiple jurisdictions. Rivalries with groups like the Pagan’s often erupt into public violence, disrupting communities and drawing heavy federal scrutiny.

Federal VICAR statutes provide powerful tools for prosecutors by linking individual violent acts to the broader criminal enterprise, enabling harsher penalties. Plea agreements like those accepted by Woodall and Hathaway often result in reduced sentences compared to full trials, but they still deliver meaningful accountability. Experts note that these prosecutions disrupt leadership, seize assets, and deter potential recruits by highlighting the severe legal consequences of gang affiliation.

For communities in North Carolina and beyond, such incidents serve as stark reminders of the hidden costs of these subcultures. While many motorcycle enthusiasts ride peacefully, the actions of outlaw factions tarnish the broader hobby and necessitate vigilant policing. Ongoing investigations suggest authorities remain focused on dismantling these networks systematically.

The sentences, while substantial, also leave room for supervised release post-incarceration, during which defendants will face strict conditions. This outcome reinforces the Justice Department’s commitment to combating organized violence, protecting public spaces, and ensuring that no group operates above the law.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs Press Release (June 12, 2026). Additional context from federal indictment details (October 2024) and related reporting.

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