A gang of 16 Hell’s Angels bikers operating out of Fayetteville faced a major federal indictment Wednesday on charges of murder, extortion and assault – crimes committed largely to gain status or membership.
Five of the men — with nicknames like “Hootie,” “Rowdy” and “007” — have been jailed since early 2023 on state murder charges, accused of killing motorcyclist Jonas Barrett Padilla, who was thrown from his bicycle in North Raleigh.
In his 19-page indictment, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley Jr. the gang and its associates use murder, theft and extortion to expand power and territory.
Members rose through the ranks first as “hangarounds” and then as “prospects” sponsored by the gang members until they earned a “full patch” as Hell’s Angels, the indictment said. A secondary and subservient gang, the Red Devils, acted as both recruiters and potential Hell’s Angels.
Members who broke the gang’s rules were subjected to “violations,” including murder.
Neighbors report gunshots, bicycles riding away at high speed
In January 2023, Raleigh police responded Sunday to an accident on Bayberry Lane in which a man had fallen from his motorcycle. But several neighbors reported hearing gunshots and seeing bicycles speeding away at 80 mph.
Three days later, police announced they were investigating the case as a murder and charged the following men:
Vidaul Rashaad Reed of Fayetteville, aka “Hootie”; Martinus Jermaine Starks of Fayetteville, aka “Tee”’; Anthony Edward Cheever of Garner, aka “Rowdy; David William Stephens of Spring Lake, aka “007”; and Tyler Scott Grissom of Fayetteville, aka “Snow.”
All five were named Wednesday in the indictment against Easley, accused of killing “JP” because of Hell’s Angels membership. Two more defendants, Christopher Dylan Manor and Robert Scott Brown, were indicted for helping the five evade arrest and trial.
An eighth defendant, Jason Lee Hathaway, was charged with assaulting and attempting to murder an unnamed victim identified only as “JW.” Seven others were charged with assaulting and attempting to kill three victims: “JW,” “JA,” and “JC.” They are: Fred Joseph Prosperi, also known as “Freddy” and “Snow Boy”; “William Scott Gardner, aka “Big Will”’ Terry Lewis Akins Jr., JR Nevarezdarr, Darrell Dewayne Strickland Jr., William Franklin Beasley and David Lee Woodall.
The final defendant, Jonathan Michael Robarge, was charged with harassing a witness.
