Grand Jury indictment against 42 Outlaws Motorcycle Club members unsealed

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) FBI agents raided the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (OMC) in the 1200 block of Main Street in Fort Wayne Wednesday morning.  A leader with the U.S. Attorney’s Office said it was one of several simultaneous, historic raids across central Indiana and Fort Wayne

While on scene at Main Street, NewsChannel 15 spoke with neighbors who said they woke up to a loud bang, which may have been a flash grenade around 6:00 a.m.  Our crews saw agents looking around the building, taking boxes inside, and collecting items.  There has been no word on what was taken from the building.

The FBI was still at the scene at 10:00 a.m. and appeared to still be removing evidence from the building. Crews also removed the Outlaws sign from the building's exterior and the A.O.A. sign above the door.

According to Tim Horty, public affairs officer with the U.S. Attorney’s office, 17 warrants for federal law violations were served to 40 individuals simultaneously across central Indiana and Fort Wayne.  Officials allege the targeted Outlaws were involved in racketeering activities.  Horty said the gang is not as traditional as local neighborhood gangs.

More than 300 state, federal, and local officers were involved in the raids.  Horty called the raids the “largest federal bust of alleged gang activity in Indianapolis history.”

A total of 42 members of the club were named in a federal indictment that was unsealed Wednesday afternoon.

The 70 page document detailed 37 counts against the individuals for alleged racketeering activity through crimes of mail and wire fraud, money laundering and extortion. 

OMC members are accused of using the United States Postal Service to participate in defrauding schemes against insurance companies including State Farm Insurance, Farmers Insurance and Cincinnati Insurance Company. 

Examples of schemes include falsely reporting stolen vehicles and accidents, thereby receiving claim settlements. Many transactions involved thousands of dollars each.

The indictment also accuses OMC members of distributing several drug variations such as cocaine, methamphetamine and pain killers. The indictment also sited illegal gambling operations.

The crimes were said to happen between May 1, 2009 and present day.

View entire indictment here.

Three years ago, 14 members and associates of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, from Indiana and Michigan, pleaded guilty to federal assault, drug and other charges.

Then, the government said leaders, members and associates of Outlaws chapters in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Ind., Bay City, Michigan and the Detroit area pleaded guilty to crimes including assault with a dangerous weapon, cocaine and marijuana distribution and possession of hashish.

Prosecutors described the Outlaws as an international criminal organization.