Outlaws motorcycle gang hit with mass arrests

The Outlaws Motor Club Sign is removed from their building in Indiana on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, after a raid on the club by an FBI task force. / AP Photo

(CBS/AP) INDIANAPOLIS - Dozens of people connected to the Outlaws motorcycle gang were arrested during early-morning raids Wednesday that federal prosecutors said were aimed at dismantling a criminal organization where violence was part of doing business.

An indictment unsealed Wednesday shows that 42 people — from alleged gang members to a millionaire CEO — are facing a wide-range of charges that include drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, witness tampering and illegal gambling. The charges, which come after a more than year-long investigation, were filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.

"All kinds of people from different walks of life are involved in criminal activity," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Blackington, the lead prosecutor in the case.

It's a case authorities describe as the largest bust of organized crime in the history of Indianapolis, reports CBS affiliate WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

Every member of the Outlaws Indianapolis chapter is currently in custody, along with several gang associates, Blackington said. Members of the motorcycle group's chapters in Ohio and Illinois also were arrested, U.S Attorney Joe Hogsett said during a news conference in Indianapolis to announce the arrests.

Only one of the suspects remained at large Wednesday following the raids in several Indiana cities and towns that involved more than 300 officers from federal, state and local agencies. The raids netted about 35 guns including several assault rifles, about $14,000 in cash and more than a dozen motorcycles, Hogsett said.

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No contact information is on the Outlaws' website, and phone messages left by The Associated Press for some people named in the indictment weren't returned. A spokesman for the Marion County jail in Indianapolis, where all the suspects were taken, said it wasn't clear if any had attorneys. Court documents didn't include attorney information.

Investigators said the gang's criminal operations included using violence to collect on debts, insurance fraud schemes and running illegal gambling. The 70-page indictment also alleges the gang trafficked drugs, including cocaine and prescription painkillers.

Joshua N. Bowser, the first suspect named in the indictment and among those facing the most charges, was described by authorities as the gang's enforcer. Among other things, he is accused of conspiring with businessman Charles N. Ernstes II, who Blackington described as "a millionaire CEO," to extort money from a person who declared bankruptcy after Ernstes gave him a loan. Ernstes also is charged.

Ernstes' attorney, Michael Allen, issued a statement saying his client pleaded not guilty "and will vigorously defend himself in court."

There was no home phone number listed for Bowser and authorities didn't know if he had an attorney.

Another suspect is a hospital employee accused of being involved in trafficking prescription drugs, investigators said. The suspect still at large, 28-year-old Terrell Adams, is being sought on drug charges and isn't an Outlaws member, prosecutors said.

Investigators used a variety of ways to infiltrate the gang, including wiretaps, drug buys and an undercover agent who posed as an extortion victim, Blackington said.

"Basically, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies threw the kitchen sink at these folks," he said.

[2wheels4life]

Some of you people need to wake up. We live in a world where it's ALL about the MONEY. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, if your not scamming then your getting scammed...from everyone on every level. Talk on here all you want and call these bikers scum, dirtbags, criminals, OUTLAWS. Well I got news for ya... your getting screwed every single day by people ten times worse than these guys but you don't complain about them all because they wear a business suit and a smile. These "dirtbags" on motorcycles break a few rules or don't conform to your standard of living so let's just lock them up and throw away the key? All these guys are guilty of is giving the people that run this country a taste of their own medicine. Maybe they should ditch the leather and wear suits....then none of you would be commenting on a damn thing. SYLO

[differentfaces]

People just see what they feel they r sappose to. Its all about societies limits and expectations. And whenever anyone lives outside the box they r deemed unfit for society.Well they r all sheep and we are free. Like we are intended to and will always be,because that is a real American.I don't care if I make people uncomfortable when I walk down the street that's their problem not mine,I am one of the nicest people you could meet but most people would never get the chance to find that out because society tells them im scum or dangerous.
A true biker doesn't care what their opinions are weather your in a club or not....Support Your Local 15s cause they are truly some of the only fee people left in this country and they are paying a price for it.

[melbatom]

You can bet the illegal activity on gambling is one of the major causes for enforment of law on this group. Drug activity would be number two. You can not cross the inhouse crime and not get in trouble.

[Big-Daddy-Kahuna]

Off with their heads!

[Yeah_Its_Me]

Why are these officers punishing success?! Why are they hurting these job creators?! Course, if this group had a row of expensive lobbyists, they'd be called benchmarks of economic productivity.

[canislupus16]

Excellent point. The difference between the rampant white collar crimes of bankers, brokers, insurance company execs, and corporate CEOs, and run of the mill drug dealing.

[formerlyluvnut]

When are they gonna hit the clowns in Congress, I mean, talk about organized crime & extortion!

[The_REAL_Arbuckle_Doc]

QUOTE: "When I do right, nobody remembers; when I do wrong, nobody forgets!!!" - Sonny Barger

[RichZubaty]

Great! Now bring these cops to Wall Street and put them on the trail of the BIG criminals.

[unclebernies]

What's up with these grey hairs riding around like they are badass. It's the same thing with the rockers who look like old men on stage who think they look cool. Put a fork in it.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

12844 July 11, 2012 9:38 PM EDT
Dang, there goes a bunch of Romney voters. Now how does Indiana sit in the polls ?
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Hey that's not a bad idea! These republicans wanna cut the pay for all the cops out there - the cops need to go around arresting republicans the day before the vote in November! LOL!

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

Charles N. Ernstes II, who Blackington described as "a millionaire CEO,"
-----------------------
CBS - Why weren't we told which corporation he's a CEO of??? Enquiring minds want to know! : )

[odd_things]

Really inquiring minds use google:

http://www.metroelevator.com/our-owner-manlift.htm

[idunnogal]

This inquiring mind looked it up on - the internet. "Charles N. Ernstes II is the president of Metro Elevator in Indianapolis and has a degree from Purdue University in civil engineering."