News / Comments / (USA) Former undercover agent says biker gang affilates share same values

Hells Angels infiltrator Jay Dobyns says raid demonstrated Vikings' links to Hells Angels.

Jay Dobyns knows the Hells Angels like his own family.

That’s because for two years, he was one of them — or at least they thought so.

“I played pool with them, drank beer with them at their clubhouses, held their babies, slept at their houses,” he said.

“I was a Hells Angel. I was a part of their world.”

From 2001 to 2003, Dobyns was a United States federal special agent working undercover to delve into the operations of the world’s most notorious biker gangs.

After performing a “murder,” — which he actually faked using lamb’s blood on a fellow agent — Dobyns gained approval from them, became a full-patched member and managed to make his way into the group’s inner circles.

It was a convincing act in a dark world of violence and crime.

Dobyns was shot in the chest, got caught up in riots with rival gangs, befriended murderers and rapists and rubbed shoulders with the organization’s elite.

He became the first law enforcement officer to successfully defeat the gang’s multi-layered security measures, according to his website. His infiltration resulted in police bringing down 50 of some of the most dangerous gang members.

Dobyns — who tells his story in the New York Times’ best-selling book ‘No Angel: My harrowing undercover journey in the inner circle of the Hells Angels. — knows what Hells Angels are capable of and it’s not pretty.

“That same guy who I sat across the table from, the same guy whose baby I held, he cut off a woman’s head because she wouldn’t have sex with him,” he said.

“Most of them are good guys as long as you’re doing what they want. But cross them and you’ll pay the price.

“That’s what they’re like.”

Yet, many men across the world are drawn to the patch and try desperately to become a biker gang member, he said.

“The initial attraction is the romanticism of that culture. You want to be the rebel, the modern-day cowboy. It’s the sexiness, the glamour of it,” he said during a telephone interview from his hometown in Arizona. “But when you become involved in the Hells Angels, you quickly realize that it’s international organized crime and the stakes are so high.

“The reality is it’s a nasty, dirty, grimy, blood world.”

This province hasn’t been excluded from the Hells Angels’ influence.

Last week, police arrested 10 members of the Vikings Motorcycle Club, which is believed to be affiliated with the Hells Angels. Eight Vikings members — as well as two suspected associates — face such charges as being involved in organized crime and drug trafficking, while two others were charged with second-degree murder in connection with the 2014 stabbing death of Dale Porter in North River.

Dobyns has never been to Newfoundland and Labrador, but is not surprised our small province is seeing the impact of the Hells Angels.

“They’re going to chase money. If there’s money to be made, they’re going to be there. Some people think it’s territory they want, but it’s money,” he said, adding the Canadian chapters usually have more sophisticated operations than in the U.S.

“Where there are ports, there’s the ability to import (illegal drugs).

“They can fool you by saying it’s all about loyalty, a brotherhood that doesn’t want to live by society’s laws. They’ll come across as good guys, raising money for charities, doing blood drives, but it’s all money driven.”

Items seized in last week’s raids indicate the Vikings’ support for Hells Angels — for example, red and white in their patch, jewelry, stickers and patches with 1%, 81, and a Hells Angels calendar.

Dobyns said smaller gangs are guilty by association.

“If you’re associated with Hells Angels, you’re associated with international power and influence,” Dobyns said.

“Not everybody wearing a patch is a murderer or dealing drugs, but if your patch shows that you support that, you’re part of that network and benefit somehow from representation of that patch ... that violence and intimidation.

“They like to call themselves clubs, not gangs, but clubs don’t support murderers, rapists and drug traffickers.”

During a news conference last week at RCMP headquarters in St. John’s to display items seized during the recent raids, Insp. Holly Turton said they believe the arrests of these suspected Vikings members represent a serious setback in the Hells Angels’ attempt to gain foothold in our province. She said she hopes the arrests will dismantle the Vikings club.

But don’t be fooled to think they’re gone, Dobyns said.

“I’ve heard that a lot in other places,” he said. “They said the same thing when they took down a chapter in Arizona. I cringed when they said it because I knew someone (in the organization) is always ready to step up into the vacant spots (left by those arrested).

“They dismissed the Hells Angels in Arizona. Now, 13 years later, they’re just as strong or stronger than they were then.

“Police may have slowed them down, but it’s just a speed bump. They maybe caused them to re-evaluate a few things, but they’re not going away. There’s still money to be made there and they’re not going to leave money on the table.

“They’ll just find someone else to do their dirty work.”

As for biker gang associates, Dobyns said from his experience, Hells Angels usually don’t seek out new recruits.

“People recruit themselves. People come showing interest,” he said. “A lot of people don’t have the balls to join the gang, but just like hanging out with them and acting like a tough guy.”

When asked about the possibility of a physician being an associate, he said, “Look, (Hells Angels or affiliated biker gangs) don’t walk into a doctor’s office and say, ‘Hey, we’re Hells Angels and we want you.’ The door had to have been opened somewhere along the way.”

But Dobyns said it may be difficult to spot Hells Angels these days, as not all of them walk around with patches. It’s not always the 1960s stereotype, he said. Many are sophisticated businessmen with conventional haircuts, no tattoos or piercings and are dressed in suits.

“They may not be phDs, but they’re actually brilliant when it comes to economics on the street,” he said.

Dobyns said while police are making every effort to bring down gangs in the province, it’s usually the lower-level criminals who are being brought down, not the kingpins.

“But I think consistent attention from law enforcement is important, not just when things pop up,” he said. “Effective co-ordinated and intelligent prosecution is necessary, too. They get arrested all the time, but most don’t get prosecuted. They have money to hire prominent legal attorneys and somehow manage to get out (of jail).”

If members of the community are nervous about their presence, Dobyns suggests to not to get in their way.

“They don’t bother with the average person in the community,” Dobyns said. “As long as you’re respective and stay out of their business, you’re probably OK.

“Believe me, you don’t want any part of that world.”

http://www.thetelegram.com/section/2016-10-03/article-4654877/Births-1847