15 members of the Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in seven states on an indictment alleging a racketeering conspiracy

The United States Attorney’s Office announced the arrests of 15 members of the Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in seven states on an indictment alleging a racketeering conspiracy. Three other gang members were arrested on separate charges involving firearms violations.

The indictment alleges that between 2009 and the present time, the Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Gang constituted an “enterprise” engaged in racketeering activity as defined by the federal RICO statute, and that the 18 charged current and former members conspired to commit racketeering acts in furtherance of that “enterprise.” In addition to the conspiracy charge, some defendants are accused of committing specific acts of violence including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and kidnapping. Several of the defendants are alleged to have engaged in narcotics trafficking. According to the indictment these offenses occurred in various locations throughout the midwest, including St. Louis, Chicago, Denver, and Marion, Ohio. The charges carry punishments ranging up to life imprisonment.

Arrested and charged locally:

Dominic Henley, 33, St. Louis, 63110, chapter president;
Lawrence Pinkston, 42, St. Louis, 63120, former vice president; 
Norman Vick, 44, St. Louis, 63135, former secretary; 
Sean Jackson, 42, St. Louis, 63112, former enforcer; and 
Timothy Balle, 58, St. Louis, 63107, member.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis Field Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Chicago Field Division, which conducted a two-year joint investigation into the Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Gang which has chapters in at least 20 states. The list of those indicted includes national and regional officers of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based club.

“The significance of today’s arrests is not just the fact that these members are considered the most violent of the group,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Dennis L. Baker. “Today’s nationwide takedown has disrupted and dismantled the Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Outlaw Gang by targeting the senior leaders.”

In addition to the FBI and ATF, this case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department and Police Departments in Chicago, IL; Columbus, Ohio; and Marion, Ohio. United States Attorney Richard Callahan praised the local police departments for their contributions to the investigation and thanked them for their willingness to forego individual action until all aspects of the investigation could be completed and everyone involved in the conspiracy could be charged.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.