Devils Diciples Motorcycle Club

This article is about the American outlaw motorcycle club. For the Canadian club, see Devil's Disciples Motorcycle Club (Canada).
Devils Diciples MC
AbbreviationDDMC
Founded1967
Founded atFontana, California, United States
TypeOutlaw motorcycle club
Region
USA

The Devils Diciples Motorcycle Club (DDMC) is an outlaw motorcycle club that was founded in Fontana, California in 1967. Such clubs are not sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and do not adhere to the AMA's rules.[1] The club originally had six members, there is a misconception that the word "disciples" was intentionally misspelled to distance themselves from any type of religion. However, in the early days of the club, some founding members went to Mexico to have their patches made, and the misspelling was unintentional, but stuck. Their insignia is a motorcycle wheel with two tridents crossing over it. In the United States, the club has chapters in Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Ohio.

Controversies

The Devils Diciples are considered by law enforcement to be among the many second-tier, after the "Big Four", outlaw motorcycle gangs.[2]

In November 2006, the U.S. District Court in Detroit closed its first major methamphetamine case with the sentencing of two Devils Diciples members and five associates in connection to manufacturing methamphetamine.[3]

In an investigation into the club begun in 2002, prosecutors in 2009 requested dropping the last remaining charges against the club's national president, Jeff "Fat Dog" Garvin Smith, "...to avoid compromising an ongoing investigation and because the interests of justice require it." Charges against 17 other club members or associates had been dropped in April.[4] These charges included drug trafficking and other offenses, brought when 18 alleged members of the Devils Diciples were arrested on April 2, 2009 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[5][6] During the raid, 42 firearms, 3,000 rounds of ammunition, three bullet-proof vests, $12,000, 15 casino-style slot machines, 1,000 Vicodin and OxyContin pills, 1½ pounds of methamphetamine and 55 pounds of marijuana were seized.[7] The remaining charges Smith was to be tried for were being "...a violent felon in possession of body armor..." as well as "...using a communications facility (a telephone) in furtherance of drug trafficking..."[8][9]

New Baltimore, Michigan District Court Judge Paul Cassidy was investigated in April 2009 for allegedly giving Devils Diciples members preferential treatment. He is a boyhood friend of their National President Jeff Garvin Smith. Cassidy announced his retirement after his home and office were searched as part of the investigation of the Devils Diciples.[4][10]

In 2011, Stephen J. Kinzey, a kinesiology professor at California State University, San Bernardino, was accused of smuggling methamphetamine while part of the club.[11] Per San Bernardino Superior Court records, Kinzey's charges have been dismissed.

Duane "Dog" Chapman, now an anti-crime celebrity bounty hunter, was associated with the club during his adolescence.[12]

July 2012, 31 Devils Diciples members in Michigan and Alabama were arrested by the FBI. More than 60 firearms and more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition were seized during this investigation. In addition, eight methamphetamine manufacturing laboratories were dismantled.[13][14] Smith and five other members were convicted in Federal court in 2015 of various offenses.[15] As of July 2015, sentencing had been delayed until 2016.[16]

References

  1. ^ Drew, A. J. (2002). The everything motorcycle book: the one book you must have to buy, ride, and maintain your motorcycle. Adams Media Corp. pp. 193–203, 277. ISBN 978-1-58062-554-8.
  2. ^ Mallory, Stephen (2007), Understanding Organized Crime, Jones & Bartlett Learning, p. 160, ISBN 978-0-7637-4108-2
  3. ^ Arboscello, Christy (November 14, 2006). "Meth makers get prison: Biker gang allies ran operations in Macomb, St. Clair". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  4. ^ a b Egan, Paul (October 27, 2009). "Prosecutors seek to dismiss charge against motorcycle club president". The Detroit News.
  5. ^ Egan, Paul (April 2, 2009). "Devils Diciples motorcycle club members arrested in FBI sweep". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  6. ^ Coleman, Lania (April 3, 2009). "Bay City man among Devil's Diciples named in lawsuit". The Bay City Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  7. ^ "FBI arrests president, members of motorcycle club". Michigan News. Associated Press. April 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  8. ^ "Charges dropped against motorcycle club members". Guardian. AP foreign. April 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  9. ^ US Department of Justice (April 1, 2009). "Motorcycle gang national president indicted" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  10. ^ "Michigan Judge Questioned in Motorcycle Gang Probe". Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  11. ^ Willon, Phil (6 November 2011). "A tale of two Stephen Kinzeys". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  12. ^ Acey, Madeleine (June 18, 2003). "Profile: Duane 'Dog' Chapman, bounty hunter". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2010-07-21.[dead link‍]
  13. ^ "- Detroit Free Press - freep.com".
  14. ^ "National President, National Vice President, and 39 Members and Associates of the Devils Diciples Motorcycle Gang Indicted".
  15. ^ "The National President, Vice President, Warlord, and Three Other Members of the Devils Diciples Motorcycle Gang Convicted of Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Charges". Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  16. ^ Cook, Jameson. "Devil's Diciples sentencings delayed as 2nd trial approaches".