Hells Angels motorcycle club organizational structure and history

Corrections

The Hells Angels

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the topic of organized crime. Specifically it will discuss the Hells Angel's motorcycle crime group. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is a notorious motorcycle group that has evolved into a gang engaging in criminal and organized crime activities. Formed in 1948, the group is notorious today for its violence, drug dealing, and extortion practices. The Hells Angels Bomber Squadron of World War II inspired their name, but none of the bomber squadron members became members of the HAMC.

Initially, the group was formed as a motorcycle club by men that had a passion for Harley-Davidsons and used them for their primary transportation. However, somewhere along the way the group became a haven for "bad boys," criminal activities, and flouting the law. Because the group is so secretive, it is difficult to discover just when the group first began dabbling in criminal activities, but many independent sources offer information that many of the founding members of the group were involved in criminal activities before their association with the group, and continued these activities after their association (Editors).

The group was formed in 1948 in Fontana California, and quickly spread to other areas of the state and then around the world. Ostensibly, the group formed with a passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the motorcycle lifestyle, but many believe the organization has always had ties to organized crime because of the well-publicized events surrounding many HAMC members. In addition, the club is extremely secretive, members only use their first names, and often those are nicknames, and never fully identify themselves within the organization. In addition, the organization's operations and methods are extremely secret, as well, leading many to believe the organization has many things to hide.

The group literally expanded by word of mouth and sharing of events and motorcycle rallies. The Hells Angels Web site lists all the official charters around the world (there are organizations in 29 different foreign countries), but is very closed-mouthed about exactly how the word has spread and charters have accumulated. There are many who believe it is the illicit activities of the organization that have led to its growth and popularity. The FBI and other crime prevention organizations agree, and have been investigating the club and its members for years. In 2003, this led to a major crackdown in Arizona, where ex-members turned witnesses helped the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigate and charge numerous Hells Angels members with a variety of illegal activities.

A reporter notes, "Five months later, indictments charged 16 Arizona Hells Angels members and associates, including three chapter presidents, in racketeering, conspiracy, murder and drug dealing. Those arrests were synchronized with raids in Nevada, California, Alaska and Washington state netting scores of additional suspects" (Wagner). In addition, the ATF seized numerous guns, explosives and other evidence pointing to long-term criminal activities. Reporter Wagner continues, "They seized 600 guns along with silencers, explosives, drugs, stolen vehicles, cash and a human skull. The combined evidence paints many Hells Angels as violent, cop-hating, drug-dealing, gunrunning criminals" (Wagner).

Organization members have also been charged with a variety of other illegal activities in many other areas of the country and the world. For example, in Canada, Maurice "Mom" Boucher was engaged in criminal activities by the time he was 20, and joined the HAMC in his 30s, where he continued his criminal activity even as he led the Montreal chapter. In fact, he did time in jail while he was the leader for arms possession and hijacking. Violence was common with this particular group, and in an effort to frighten and "intimidate" police, prison guards were killed by Hells Angel members in 1997. Eventually, Boucher was tried and convicted for orchestrating the killings (Editors).

In addition, many other criminal investigations have turned up large amounts of money, weapons, drugs, and evidence of other illegal activities, such as extortion and coercion by club members and in clubhouses across America and the world. The club Web site maintains that "1% of their members are bad, and ruin the reputation of the remaining 99%" ("Stew" & "Craig"), but the evidence continues to point to the fact that many HAMC activities are gang and crime related, and that many of its members join the organization for reasons other than a passion for motorcycles. The club is associated with a violent and disruptive lifestyle, condones gun and weapons ownership, and seems to exclude black members. In addition, many of its members are now facing charges stemming from investigations in America and beyond, and many more remain behind bars due to their convictions in criminal activities. The HAMC may be called a "club," but it is much more - it is a window to criminal activity and organized crime.

ASSOCIATION CHART

Elements and Association Criteria element 1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of who makes up the Hells Angel Motorcycle Club - how it gains members.

Membership criteria

1.1 Must own a motorcycle and use it for primary transportation. Primarily made up of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, but not mandatory.

Range: Association, activities, events, foundation.