BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A 46-count federal indictment handed up Tuesday charges 16 Kingsmen Motorcycle Club members and officers, from the national leader to local members, in a major racketeering operation.
Those named in the indictment include the Kingsmen's national president, David Pirk, along with local presidents of the New York Northern Regional, North Tonawanda, and Olean chapters, just to name a few.
Also charged is Andre Jenkins, who was convicted last year for the double murder of KMC members Paul Maue and Daniel Szymanski. The indictment claims it was Pirk who ordered Jenkins to commit the crime.
Calling it the end of an era of violence, U.S. Attorney William Hochul says the illegal activities the group allegedly took part in were much more wide-ranging. Gun and drug trafficking, as well as assault, a drive-by shooting, kidnapping, and sexual assault were among the crimes he says the KMC committed.
The investigation spanned not just all parts of Western New York, but also reached south to Pennsylvania and Florida.
"It is extremely difficult to be able to infiltrate a violent motorcycle gang. They're secretive in nature, and it's part of their business to make sure that they're not infiltrated and that the public isn't aware of their criminal activity. Because of that, it takes a lot of work and a lot of cooperation with law enforcement to have any kind of success against a gang like this," said James Spero, a special agent in charge with Homeland Security Investigations.
Some of the 46 counts listed in the indictment include RICO conspiracy, possession of firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, along with a $500,000 fine.