The most significant trend involving these groups has been the recent appearance of a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club chapter in the New York/New Jersey area, a region traditionally dominated by the Pagans. Elements of the Hells Angels moved into this area in 2002, but there are indications that they may have arrived as early as 1995.

Tensions have escalated between the Hells Angels and the Pagans, with many Pagan members changing allegiance and “patching over” to the rival club, including three high-ranking members who defected when the Pagans’ South Philadelphia chapter president was incarcerated. The result has been a decline in Pagan membership and a rise in violent confrontations between the two clubs. In February 2002, ten vanloads of Pagans stormed a Hells Angels’ “Hellraisers Ball” on Long Island, New York. Seventy- three Pagans were convicted or pled guilty to federal charges stemming from this incident. They received prisons sentences ranging from 27 to 63 months. The inter-gang feud allegedly grew out of a dispute over the ownership of gang colors and other identifiers used by gangs to distinguish themselves. Four Pagan leaders admitted in court that they organized the bloody confrontation in an effort seize two Pagan jackets kept by former members who had defected to the Hells Angels.

The effects of the Long Island brawl have been felt in the Delaware Valley. In March 2002, a South Philadelphia tattoo shop owned by a Pagan member who had been  arrested in the fight was firebombed. Authorities suspect this bombing was a retaliatory attack engineered by the Hells Angels. In November 2002, a fight between the Pagans and the Hells Angels in Northeast Philadelphia left one Hells Angels member stabbed numerous times.

There also have been a number of violent confrontations among Pagan members sparked by attempts by some to abandon the club and join the Hells Angels. In May 2002, a defecting Pagan was assaulted outside his Philadelphia home by former Pagan cohorts. A year later, in New Jersey, Pagans assaulted and stabbed two fellow members of the Elizabeth chapter, allegedly for seeking to leave the gang. Numerous cross-overs nonetheless have occurred, but despite them, the Pagans appear to be operational in New Jersey and, early in 2004, reportedly were looking to establish a Central Jersey chapter. Authorities say the group also is attempting to strengthen its ranks by “patching over,” or recruiting, members from various “puppet clubs” – weaker, smaller affiliated cycle gangs used by their larger brethren to assist in various criminal capacities. With the recent release of the former president of the South Philadelphia chapter of the Pagans, Steve “Gorilla” Mondevergine, it is possible that the group will attempt to reorganize and consolidate in that city. In addition, Pagans incarcerated in the aftermath of the Hellraisers’ Ball were expected to be released from prison early in 2004.

Other motorcycle gangs also appear to be expanding their presence throughout the Delaware Valley. The Warlocks have established two chapters in South Jersey, and the Outlaws now maintain five chapters in Pennsylvania. This expansion appears to be a further reaction to the arrival of the Hells Angels as the various gangs vie to maintain control of territories and criminal activities.

 As with other criminal organizations, outlaw motorcycle gangs have begun to utilize computer technology, primarily via the internet, to communicate, promote their activities and announce the addition of new chapters. The Hells Angels, for example recently utilized the group’s official Web site to announce the addition of its new Philadelphia chapter. Such sites also feature graphic representations of logos and patches, photographs of club-sponsored events and the promotion and sale of “official” club merchandise. The gangs are also known to utilize a variety of high-tech devices, including encryption devices, motion detectors, parabolic microphones and remote video cameras, to frustrate detection and tracking by law enforcement. Gang members also have been known to cloak their identities for communications purposes by falsely registering cellular phones under the names of individuals not directly involved in gang activity.

The primary criminal activity of outlaw motorcycle gangs remains the trafficking of narcotics, primarily methamphetamines and cocaine. There also is evidence that they are involved in the movement of marijuana and Ecstasy throughout this region. Motorcycle gangs employ street-gang members as associates in their drug distribution operations, a structure that serves to shield the gang hierarchy from prosecution and to provide a pool of prospective membership talent. Additional criminal activities include extortion, prostitution, assault and weapons possession. There also has been an increased trend in the acquisition and operation of otherwise legitimate businesses, specifically tattoo parlors, motorcycle shops and home contracting/renovation companies as an avenue for laundering proceeds from illicit activities. Intimidation of legitimate businesses is another tactic utilized by outlaw motorcycle gangs. Under this approach,  gang members assume control of a business, such as a tavern or bar, by frequenting the establishment and, through their menacing presence, driving away the regular clientele. A member of the club then approaches the owner offering protection for a price.