Devils Diciples
Encyclopedia
The Devils Diciples Motorcycle Club (DDMC) is an outlaw motorcycle club
that was founded in Fontana, California
in 1967. The word outlaw carries a specific meaning which does not imply criminal intent, but rather means the club is not sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association
(AMA) and does not adhere to the AMA's rules. The club originally had twelve members, and the word "disciples" was intentionally mis-spelled. Their insignia is a motorcycle wheel with two trident
s crossing over it. In the United States, the club has chapters in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The headquarters of the club are in Clinton Charter Township, Michigan
, Port Huron, Michigan
, and Detroit and there are around 150 full-patched members in the club.
member John R. Bartolomeo is serving 35 years in prison for the June 29, 1995 murder of Devils Diciples member William "Cats" Michaels. US Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) agent Phil Muollo, who infiltrated the Hells Angels, said that Bartolomeo was a "prospect" (prospective member) of the Hells Angels, and that he killed the rival gang member to prove that he was worthy to be a full member of the Hells Angels.
In November 2006, the U.S. District Court in Detroit closed its first major meth case with the sentencing of two Devils Diciples members and five associates in connection to manufacturing methamphetamine.
In an investigation into the club begun in 2002, prosecutors have recently requested dropping the last remaining charges against the club's national president, Jeff "Fat Dog" Garvin Smith, "to avoid compromising an ongoing investigation and because the interests of justice require it." Charges against 17 other club members or associates had been dropped in April. These charges included drug trafficking and other offenses, brought when 18 alleged members of the Devils Diciples were arrested on April 2, 2009 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
. During the raid, 42 firearms, 3,000 rounds of ammunition, three bullet-proof vests, $12,000, 15 casino-style slot machines, 1,000 Vicodin
and OxyContin pills, 1½ pounds of methamphetamine
and 55 pounds of marijuana were seized. The remaining charges Smith was to be tried for were being "a violent felon in possession of body armor" as well as "using a communications facility (a telephone) in furtherance of drug trafficking".
New Baltimore, Michigan
District Court Judge Paul Cassidy was investigated in April 2009 for allegedly giving Devils Diciples members preferential treatment. He is a boyhood friend of their National President Jeff Garvin Smith. Cassidy announced his retirement after his home and office were searched as part of the investigation of the Devils Diciples. Duane Chapman
was also a member of this group.
In 2011, Stephen J. Kinzey, a kinesiology
professor at California State University, San Bernardino
, was accused of smuggling methamphetamine
while part of the gang.
Outlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
that was founded in Fontana, California
Fontana, California
Fontana is a city of 196,069 residents in San Bernardino County, California. Founded in 1913, it remained essentially rural until World War II, when entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser built a large steel mill in the area...
in 1967. The word outlaw carries a specific meaning which does not imply criminal intent, but rather means the club is not sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
(AMA) and does not adhere to the AMA's rules. The club originally had twelve members, and the word "disciples" was intentionally mis-spelled. Their insignia is a motorcycle wheel with two trident
Trident
A trident , also called a trishul or leister or gig, is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was also a military weapon. Tridents are featured widely in mythical, historical and modern culture. The major Hindu god, Shiva the Destroyer and the sea god Poseidon or Neptune are...
s crossing over it. In the United States, the club has chapters in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The headquarters of the club are in Clinton Charter Township, Michigan
Clinton Charter Township, Michigan
The Charter Township of Clinton, usually referred to as Clinton Township, is a charter township of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a part of Metro Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the township had a total population of 96,796, and is Michigan's most populous township...
, Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administratively autonomous. It is joined by the Blue Water Bridge over the St. Clair River to Sarnia,...
, and Detroit and there are around 150 full-patched members in the club.
Controversies
Since 1995, a number of members of the club have been accused or convicted of selling or manufacturing illegal substances. Hells AngelsHells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
member John R. Bartolomeo is serving 35 years in prison for the June 29, 1995 murder of Devils Diciples member William "Cats" Michaels. US Drug Enforcement Administration
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
(DEA) agent Phil Muollo, who infiltrated the Hells Angels, said that Bartolomeo was a "prospect" (prospective member) of the Hells Angels, and that he killed the rival gang member to prove that he was worthy to be a full member of the Hells Angels.
In November 2006, the U.S. District Court in Detroit closed its first major meth case with the sentencing of two Devils Diciples members and five associates in connection to manufacturing methamphetamine.
In an investigation into the club begun in 2002, prosecutors have recently requested dropping the last remaining charges against the club's national president, Jeff "Fat Dog" Garvin Smith, "to avoid compromising an ongoing investigation and because the interests of justice require it." Charges against 17 other club members or associates had been dropped in April. These charges included drug trafficking and other offenses, brought when 18 alleged members of the Devils Diciples were arrested on April 2, 2009 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
. During the raid, 42 firearms, 3,000 rounds of ammunition, three bullet-proof vests, $12,000, 15 casino-style slot machines, 1,000 Vicodin
Vicodin
Hydrocodone/paracetamol is a combination of two analgesic products hydrocodone and paracetamol used to relieve moderate to severe pain...
and OxyContin pills, 1½ pounds of methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
and 55 pounds of marijuana were seized. The remaining charges Smith was to be tried for were being "a violent felon in possession of body armor" as well as "using a communications facility (a telephone) in furtherance of drug trafficking".
New Baltimore, Michigan
New Baltimore, Michigan
New Baltimore is a city and coastal resort community in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 7,405 at the 2000 census. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate places the population at 11,346. New Baltimore is in Metropolitan Detroit....
District Court Judge Paul Cassidy was investigated in April 2009 for allegedly giving Devils Diciples members preferential treatment. He is a boyhood friend of their National President Jeff Garvin Smith. Cassidy announced his retirement after his home and office were searched as part of the investigation of the Devils Diciples. Duane Chapman
Duane Chapman
Duane Lee "Dog" Chapman, Sr. is an American bounty hunter and a former bail bondsman. He stars in Dog the Bounty Hunter, a weekly reality television program which is broadcast on the A&E Network , FOX8 and GO! , OLN and A&E Network , MAX and RTL II .Chapman claims he has made more than 6,000...
was also a member of this group.
In 2011, Stephen J. Kinzey, a kinesiology
Kinesiology
Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...
professor at California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino, also known as Cal State San Bernardino or CSUSB is a public research university and one of the twenty three general campuses of the California State University system. The main campus sits on in the suburban University District of , United States, with...
, was accused of smuggling methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
while part of the gang.