News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2006
Contact: Casey McEnry
Number: 415-436-7994

Indictment Charges President and Officers of Hells Angels
12 Arrested in Raids Targeting a Methamphetamine and Cocaine Distribution Ring

During the course of the investigation, agents seized 50 kilograms of cocaine (pictured above).

APR 21 -- SAN FRANCISCO – DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena, U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Ford announced that nine individuals, two of whom are officers of the Hells Angels in San Francisco, have been charged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. The indictment, unsealed today, also charges individuals with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, conspiracy to launder money, and using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena stated, "By arresting and indicting these alleged major local drug traffickers, we hope to entirely disrupt their drug trafficking operations. The arrests and seizures associated with this investigation mean that these substances, which destroy our neighborhoods, will be much harder to come by in San Francisco.

DEA and FBI agents, along with officers with the San Francisco Police Department, and officers from numerous state and local law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area executed search warrants yesterday on 19 locations and seized approximately $70,000 in cash, over 4 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately one kilogram of cocaine, over 4 pounds of marijuana, numerous firearms, one grenade, several vehicles and a motorcycle. Upon the execution of those warrants four additional individuals were arrested on probable cause on the charges noted below. In all, twelve individuals were arrested in the operation yesterday.

"U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan stated, "This is a significant investigation which should disrupt the illegal trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine by a number of alleged drug conspirators and distributors, including two members of the Hells Angels. We will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those trafficking in these illicit substances. Methamphetamine and cocaine plague our communities and destroy lives. I thank all of the law enforcement agencies for their outstanding collaboration in this investigation."

During the course of the investigation, agents made numerous seizures, including 50 kilograms of cocaine, over two kilograms of methamphetamine, and $75,000 in cash.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Ford stated, "This investigation targeted a drug distribution network which included the President and Sergeant-at-Arms of the San Francisco Chapter of Hell’s Angels. The FBI will continue to combat gangs and drug-related violence in our streets, and initiatives like the Safe Streets Task Force is one of many ways federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to address these crime problems."

The indictment charges the following individuals:

Joseph Wilson, 35, of San Francisco, the President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, is charged with 10 counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and five counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Jason Peterson, 32, of San Francisco, an officer of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, is charged with three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.
Thomas Fitzgerald McKenzie, 42, of Livermore, is charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and five counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Anthony Lamboy, 28, of Hayward, is charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and two counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Elizabeth Evans, 40, of Hayward, is charged with 10 counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and three counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Maria Turney, 37, of San Francisco, is charged with two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

Jason D. Thomas, 26, Livermore, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Bao Van Phung, 31, of Sacramento, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Devon Williams, 29, of Clearlake, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed today, a number of the alleged conspirators drive vehicles with paper license plates on their vehicles to thwart law enforcement attempts to identify the owner of the vehicle. The affidavit also alleges that the targets of this investigation commonly used coded language to describe their criminal activity.

Four additional individuals were arrested on probable cause for the following violations:

Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Section 841(a)(1)- Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine)

Enrique Voto-Bernales, 38, El Sobrante

Bert Voto-Bernales, 37, San Francisco

Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1)- Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Joseph Delfino Harp, 37, San Francisco

Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Teddy Freij, 35, Emeryville

Two other individuals, Justin Beecher and Michael Demetrescu were charged in criminal complaints with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and are wanted by authorities.

All of these defendants, except for Thomas McKenzie, were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco today before Magistrate Judge Larson at 9:30 a.m. Thomas Fitzgerald McKenzie is wanted by authorities. The individuals are being held in custody pending detention hearings that are scheduled for April 25, 26, and 27th before Magistrate Judge Larson.

The maximum statutory penalty for each charge is as follows:

*Distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine or cocaine, in violation of 21
U.S.C. 841(a)(1): 40 years to life imprisonment and a $2,000,000 to$4,000,000 fine, depending on the drug type and amount

*Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C.846: life imprisonment and a $4,000,000 fine

*Conspiracy to launder money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1956(h): 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater

*Using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 843(b): 4 years imprisonment and a $30,000 fine

*Title 18, United States Code, Section922(g)- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon: 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

An indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, these defendants must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Dave Hall is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Karen Alvarez. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the DEA, IRS-Criminal Investigation, analysts with the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the San Francisco Police Department, the California Department of Justice, the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, and officers of the Contra Costa County WestNet, the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force.