Peace bond upheld against alleged biker

Peace bond upheld against alleged biker...... Gang cops and the Crown have won their first fight in Project Flatlined to slap court conditions against an alleged gang member, even though he is not charged with any crime. Cory Dean Pinnel, 30, was ordered Tuesday by a judge to abide for a year by conditions of a peace bond under a rarely-used section of the Criminal Code. In all, Winnipeg police and federal prosecutors are trying to impose peace bonds on nine men with ties to the Manitoba Hells Angels (HA) and its “friend” gang, the Redlined Support Crew, in the wake of Project Flatlined, a police bust in mid-March that culminated in the arrests of nearly two dozen people. The proposed order against Pinnel included numerous restrictions, including a curfew, not attending HA events or wearing any of its “support” gear along with not communicating with more than 80 past and present members of the HA, Redlined and what may remain of the Zig Zag Crew, the one-time support club of the Manitoba HA. The judge agreed to lift the curfew condition, crediting Pinnel’s clean criminal record and calling the restriction “unreasonable” based on the circumstances. “Not being charged of any criminal activity has to count for something. He certainly was playing with fire when he had the frequent associations with members of a known criminal organization but he thus far has not been caught with anything to the point of being charged. He’s entitled to some benefit for that,” said Judge Theodore Lismer. However, the judge rejected a request to let Pinnel, an alleged Redlined member, stay in touch with Rod and Dale Sweeney, two alleged members of the Hells Angels, because the pair are his half-brothers. Dale Sweeney, the reputed Manitoba chapter president, was arrested in Project Flatlined. He remains behind bars, court heard Tuesday. Rod Sweeney is one of the other men police and prosecutors are trying to saddle with a peace bond under sec. 810.01 of the Criminal Code, which is aimed specifically at gangs and says the Crown must show “fears on reasonable grounds that another person will commit ... a criminal organization offence.” Of the nine men facing the orders, two agreed to the conditions. One of those men, Shawn Lloyd Sichewski, was arrested last week, accused of breaking the no-contact condition.

Flatlined bikers fighting peace bonds

Flatlined bikers fighting peace bonds

In the ongoing battle against biker gangs, Winnipeg police and federal prosecutors have dusted off a little-used legal weapon, one that targets Hells Angels and their associates even though no crime has been committed. Police and prosecutors are employing a section of the Criminal Code rarely used in Manitoba to slap peace bonds on nine men with ties to the biker gang and its “friend” club, the Redlined, as part of Project Flatlined, a drug trafficking probe nearly a year in the making. Last May, gang cops quietly started the investigation, which involved monitoring the phones of alleged dial-a-dealers, uncovering more than 155,000 messages and pages upon pages of chats. Undercover officers made 37 crack-cocaine buys, show court records obtained by the Winnipeg Sun along with photos included in exhibits tabled in court. During the probe, the Rock Machine and the Hells Angels/Redlined engaged in a turf battle with a string of shootings, firebombings and beatings. Since mid-March, roughly two dozen alleged gang associates have been busted. While most are accused of criminal offences, the cops and the Crown are attempting to restrict the activities of the others who aren’t facing charges. Similar to a probation order, peace bonds can include certain conditions, like curfews and orders forbidding communication with specific individuals. Rights groups point out the provision is used when police don’t have sufficient evidence to actually charge someone. “People who haven’t committed a crime should have freedom,” Abby Deshman, director of public safety at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, said from Toronto. “It’s hard enough to decide when someone has committed an offence. Really, you’re asking judges to be clairvoyant.” But to cops and the Crown, peace bonds are aimed at stopping and crime before it happens. And it’s not new. The provision pertaining to gangs has existed in law since 1997. There must be “fears on reasonable grounds that another person will commit ... a criminal organization offence,” the Criminal Code states. “The goal of the legislation is to prevent future harm — it’s a preventative measure,” federal Crown Geoff Bayly told a recent court hearing for Cory Pinnel, one of the men fighting a peace bond attempt. In the case of another man, who is a Hells Angel, after the firebombing of a fellow member’s home, police allege he participated in the beating of a rival. The victim told police he was unable to identify the men who did it, police wrote in an affidavit used to support the peace bond. He is “repeatedly leading the Redlined in a show of force to intimidate the public as well as members of rival gangs,” wrote Det. Grant Goulet, a local gang expert. The man also has a conviction of possessing a handgun. He “acquired it for protection” in the turf war against the Rock Machine, Goulet wrote. “By allowing (the man) to have contact with the members of the Redlined and Hells Angels, it will provide him with the opportunity to exert influence over the Redlined members and continue to enhance the Redlined and Hells Angels Manitoba chapter’s criminal activities,” Goulet wrote. That man ultimately agreed to the peace bond. Among other conditions, he is barred from communicating with dozens of gang members. A second associate, described in court documents as a Redlined member, has also agreed. Others are heading to court to fight the bids. Two more men are still wanted on peace bonds by gang cops, Jesse Richard Thomas, 27, and Jared James Irving, 26. Anyone with tips can call the organized crime unit at 986- 3411or Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477). Keeping the Peace A peace bond imposes conditions you must follow. Conditions a judge can impose include: Staying away from particular people or places Not carrying weapons Not using drugs or alcohol Obeying curfews (a specific time of the day after which certain rules apply) Reporting regularly to police or a probation officer Criminal Code — Section 810 According to Section 810 of the Criminal Code: The court may order an 810 recognizance (peace bond) for up to 24 months No convictions or charges are necessary for a recognizance to be ordered Recognizance is supervised like a probation order because of the threat of harm to a community or person it is intended to address. Consequence of disobeying a peace bond If you do not obey the conditions of a peace bond, you could be charged with a criminal offence and may be placed on probation for up to three years, fined up to $5,000 and/or sentenced to jail for up to two years. An order placing you on a peace bond is not a criminal conviction, but criminal charges may be laid if you do not follow the conditions.

Manitoba disrupts biker gangs with strict peace bonds

Manitoba disrupts biker gangs with strict peace bonds April 10, 2012

WINNIPEG - Cancel the pig roast, scrap the poker run and forget about the Halloween bash - the Hells Angels are not exactly in a partying mood. And the Manitoba chapter can thank police and justice officials for raining on their annual parades and tearing apart what's left of their organization. The Winnipeg Free Press has uncovered details of a relentless campaign being waged in the courts following a recent undercover sting that dealt a serious blow to the Hells Angels. At least seven other members and associates have been arrested in recent weeks despite no evidence they have committed any crimes. More arrests are expected. The Winnipeg Free Press has uncovered details of a relentless campaign being waged in the courts following a recent undercover sting that dealt a serious blow to the Hells Angels. At least seven other members and associates have been arrested in recent weeks despite no evidence they have committed any crimes. More arrests are expected. All of these people are being hit with rarely used peace bonds under Section 810 of the Criminal Code, which states they are likely to "commit a criminal offence for the benefit of a criminal organization." Sources say this is one of the first times Manitoba justice officials have used peace bonds to fight organized crime. All of the accused are being held in custody until they deal with the court order, which are traditionally used by officials against high-risk sex offenders or convicted killers who have served every day of an existing sentence and are about to re-enter the community. Several of the Hells members and associates who were arrested have agreed to the peace bond terms and were released. But freedom comes with a hefty price. Terms of the yearlong court orders include having no contact with any Hells Angels member or associate in the province - a list of people that runs three typed pages and includes more than 50 names. Any breaches of the conditions would result in a stand-alone criminal offence and would be grounds for immediate arrest. The peace bonds have 13 others terms, including a midnight curfew and an order to not possess any gang clothing or paraphernalia. Police arrested nine Hells members and associates last month as part of Project Flatlined and laid a number of drug and gang-related charges. Those arrested include president Dale Sweeney, who also had several vehicles and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle seized under the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act, which allows authorities to take possession of the proceeds of crime. The remaining few members and associates who weren't snared by the criminal investigation - including Sweeney's brother, Rod - are being caught in the peace bond net. The result is that almost every single person linked to the Manitoba Hells is either in custody or barred from having any contact with any other member or associate. Insp. Rick Guyader of Winnipeg police organized crime unit said last month the Manitoba Hells Angels may be in violation of the biker gang's charter, which requires at least seven active members. Operation Flatlined was the fourth major bust of the Manitoba Hells Angels since 2006. Unlike those previous projects, police did not use a paid informant in Flatlined. Sources said the undercover probe relied on court-ordered wiretaps that allowed police to gain insight and evidence. BEGIN OPTIONAL END The Flatlined code name is a reference to the Redlined Support Crew, a puppet club of the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels created the Redlined gang in 2010 to stand up to other criminal networks that might muscle in on their drug turf after many of their members were arrested and jailed following the other police stings. At the top of the list of rival gangs was the Rock Machine, which waged war with the Hells Angels in Quebec during the 1990s but hasn't had much of a presence in Manitoba until recently. Tensions escalated during the summer of 2011 when more than a dozen reported incidents, including drive-by shootings and firebombings between Redlined and Rock Machine members, prompted police to canvass neighbourhoods where well-known bike gang members lived to warn residents an active gang war was underway.

Police seize Hells bike at show

Police seize Hells bike at show -- Harley taken from World of Wheels -- Gang member agrees to leave Angels Winnipeg police continued their assault on the Hells Angels by stripping another member of his gang status and seizing the jailed president's Harley-Davidson motorcycle from the World of Wheels trade show. The Free Press has uncovered details on both events, the fallout from last week's Project Flatlined, which resulted in the arrests of 11 prominent Hells Angels members and associates. Sources say members of the organized crime unit went to the Winnipeg Convention Centre Friday night and seized a souped-up motorcycle that was on display. The bike belongs to Dale Sweeney, the current head of the Manitoba Hells chapter who was arrested earlier in the day at his lavish home in the Waverley West development. "Apparently there was quite a commotion there when they seized it from World of Wheels," a source said. Friends of Sweeney were with the Harley, which had the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club logo on the side of it, when it was seized. Police had seized two vehicles belonging to Sweeney during his arrest, and sources say they will now focus on his upscale home under the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act, which allows authorities to take possession of the proceeds of crime. "We'll take that (house) if and when he's convicted," said a justice source. The next phase of the police blitz occurred in a Winnipeg courtroom on Monday afternoon. Carmine Puteri, 39, a member of the Hells Angels, agreed to step away from the gang in order to gain his release from custody. Puteri was among those arrested last Friday but was not actually facing criminal charges. Instead, police and justice officials obtained a rarely used peace bond against him under Section 810 of the Criminal Code. In court documents, police state Puteri was likely to "commit a criminal offence for the benefit of a criminal organization." Puteri agreed this was the case and chose not to contest the court order, which is traditionally used by officials against high-risk sex offenders or convicted killers who have served every day of an existing sentence and are about to re-enter the community. A peace bond was used against notorious killer Karla Homolka. Sources say this is one of the first times Manitoba justice officials have used the tool to fight organized crime. Police will monitor Puteri and he has agreed to 14 separate conditions, including a midnight curfew and an order to not possess any gang clothing or paraphernalia. Puteri has also agreed to have no contact with any Hells Angels member or associate in the province -- a list of people that ran three typed pages in court and includes more than 50 names. Any breaches of the conditions would result in a stand-alone criminal offence and would be grounds for immediate arrest. Police have also obtained the same peace bond against Sweeney's brother, Rod. He has not decided yet whether to fight the application or consent to it, and remains in custody. Sweeney and the other eight accused who were arrested last week are facing a litany of charges, including trafficking, proceeds of crime, money laundering and participating in a criminal organization. All remain behind bars and further arrests are expected. More than 150 Winnipeg police officers were involved in last week's raids, which puts the immediate status of the Hells Angels in Manitoba in jeopardy. Organized crime Insp. Rick Guyader said there are only four local members of the Hells Angels who were not arrested -- putting them in violation of the biker gang's charter, which requires at least seven active members. Operation Flatlined is the fourth major bust of the Manitoba Hells Angels since 2006. Unlike those previous projects, police did not use a paid informant in Flatlined. Sources told the Free Press the undercover probe relied on court-ordered wiretaps that allowed police to gain insight and evidence. The Flatlined code name is a reference to the Redlined Support Crew, a puppet club of the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels created the Redlined gang in 2010 to stand up to other criminal networks that might muscle in on their former drug turf after many of their members were arrested and jailed following the other police stings. At the top of the list of rival gangs was the Rock Machine, which waged war with the Hells Angels in Quebec during the 1990s but hasn't had much of a presence in Manitoba until recently. Tensions escalated last summer, with more than a dozen reported incidents, including drive-by shootings and firebombings between Redlined and Rock Machine members, which prompted police to canvass neighbourhoods where well-known bike gang members lived, to warn residents an active gang war was underway.

Newest biker spy has tough road ahead, say longtime spies

Newest biker spy has tough road ahead, say longtime spies. It’s not the type of job you’ll find listed in the classified section. But that hasn’t stopped a handful of Manitobans from trading in their “life experience” for an opportunity to work undercover as secret police agents. WINNIPEG — It’s not the type of job you’ll find listed in the classified section. But that hasn’t stopped a handful of Manitobans from trading in their “life experience” for an opportunity to work undercover as secret police agents. Scotty “Taz” Robertson is the latest to find employment. The 49-year-old career biker hang-around has spent the past year infiltrating Hells Angels activities in a sting operation dubbed “Project Drill.” The result was 18 arrests last week for a string of crimes, including drug and weapons trafficking, and even conspiracy to murder. Many of the alleged offences were caught on wiretap and through video surveillance made possible by Robertson. While police are likely basking in the glow of their work, Robertson — identified in court documents and by justice sources as the man who helped police expose the criminal activities — probably isn’t popping the champagne. Recent history suggests he has a long and difficult road ahead of him. He can expect every aspect of his life to be closely scrutinized by a team of defence lawyers who can’t wait to get him into court for cross-examination. He may find himself being maligned by the very Crown prosecutors whose case he helped build. And Robertson might not want to get too comfortable, wherever he is. Double-crossing the world’s most notorious motorcycle gang means always having to watch your back and never getting settled. The money he was paid will likely run out one day, but the anxiety caused by being a “marked man” will stay with him forever. That’s no exaggeration, according to a pair of Manitoba men who’ve already walked a mile in Robertson’s shoes. “I’m rich, all right. . . . My life is ruined,” Franco Atanasovic told the Winnipeg Free Press in an interview last year while he was under the Witness Protection Program with his two sons. Atanasovic, 47, was paid $525,000 — roughly the same amount as Robertson — for a similar police project that ended 10 months ago with the arrests of 13 Hells Angels and associates. Atanasovic conducted many undercover drug deals with key targets of “Project Defence” in a case that has already netted 10 convictions. But the career criminal was in no mood to celebrate — especially after hearing his name repeatedly dragged through the mud in several courtrooms. Atanasovic fumed that the Crown painted him as a liar and cheat, several disgruntled former associates filed lawsuits against him, seeking cash, and media reports likened him to the hoods he helped catch. “Do you think I did a good thing or a bad thing?” he asked rhetorically. Atanasovic has repeatedly battled bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide, according to his RCMP handlers who testified in court. The public learned just how much of a target Atanasovic had become during the trial earlier this year for full-patch biker Ian Grant. Heavily armed, camouflaged police officers swarmed the courthouse, sealing off all entrances and exits during the days when Atanasovic testified. A metal detector was installed at the door of the courthouse and plainclothes police with guns were inside the room. In Kevin Sylvester’s case, his reward came in the form of freedom — not money — but that has done little to please the longtime Manitoba biker. Sylvester, 44, seemed to hit rock bottom last December when he called the Free Press and went on a lengthy tirade about how his co-operation with police and prosecutors a few years earlier had ruined his life. Sylvester made a similar call to a Crown attorney, which prompted police to pay him a personal visit. They pepper-sprayed and shocked him with a Taser when he tried to fight with officers and kicked one in the groin. Sylvester blamed the ugly episode on taking too much antidepressant medication. He said he was angry with the way he has been treated since he struck a controversial plea bargain with the Crown in 2001. Sylvester was sentenced to two years less a day in jail for his part in shooting and wounding Hells Angel Rod Sweeney in the head as he sat in his tow truck with his young son beside him. Sweeney survived the point-blank attack. Sylvester became a wanted man and was the victim of several retaliatory incidents, including a firebombing of his house and a drive-by shooting attempt. The Crown eventually offered Sylvester a reduced jail sentence in exchange for his testimony against two Hells Angels — including Sweeney’s brother, Dale — accused of trying to kill Sylvester. Provincial court Judge Charles Newcombe said he was “holding his nose” at what many called a “deal with the devil.” Sylvester told the Free Press police and justice officials made all sorts of financial promises to him that weren’t fulfilled. He claims his life is in constant danger now that he’s no longer in witness protection.

Bikers dealt body blow.

Bikers dealt body blow. Raids, arrests of top figures seriously weaken local Hells Angels

They have spent the past year dodging bullets and firebombs while locked in a violent street war with an emerging new rival. But a more familiar foe has struck again, dealing the depleted Hells Angels another blow in their quest for organized-crime dominance. Arrested: Dale Jason Sweeney, 41, Hells Angels president Roderick Patrick Sweeney, 43, Hells Angels member Carmine Puteri, 39, Hells Angels member Kurtis Donald Scott, 40, Hells Angels associate Christopher Allan Gerula, 34, Hells Angels associate Brendin Kyle Wall, 24, Redlined member Thomas Clinton Barnecki, 31, Redlined associate Jonathon Stewart, 31, Redlined associate Donovan Michael Lafrance, 27, Redlined prospect Buildings searched: Residence, 100 block of Autumnview Drive (above) Residence, 300 block of Edison Avenue Residence, 900 block of Norwich Avenue Residence, 800 block of Government Avenue Residence, 200 block of Fairhaven Road Business, 1000 block of Redonda Street More than 150 Winnipeg police officers capped off a 10-month investigation Friday by arresting 11 prominent gang members and associates. The biggest was Hells Angels president Dale Sweeney, whose lavish home in a new Waverley West development was raided by heavily armed tactical unit members. His brother, Rod, a full-patch member, was also arrested. Other properties in North Kildonan, East Kildonan, Elmwood, Transcona and Linden Woods were searched. Organized crime Insp. Rick Guyader said there are only four local members of the Hells Angels not in custody -- putting them in violation of the biker gang's own charter, which requires at least seven active members to function. "They'll have to shut down until they can recruit some other people," Guyader said Friday. "It's a very big deal." Police seized an estimated two kilograms of cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash and will lay various charges, including trafficking, proceeds of crime, money laundering and participating in a criminal organization. Further arrests are expected. Operation Flatlined is the fourth major bust of the Manitoba Hells Angels since 2006. The three previous projects -- Defence (2006), Drill (2007) and Divide (2009) -- led to 62 biker arrests, including former presidents Ernie Dew and Dale Donovan. Unlike those previous projects, police did not use a paid informant in Flatlined. Sources told the Free Press the undercover probe relied on court-ordered wiretaps that allowed police to gain insight and evidence. "This is the first time this type of investigation has been used in this type of crime across the country. We're very pleased. I can say from my experience, this is one of the best projects that has come together," Guyader said. The Flatlined code name is a direct reference to the Redlined Support Crew, which is serving as a puppet club of the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels created the Redlined gang in 2010 to stand up to other criminal networks that might muscle in on their former drug turf after many of their members were arrested and jailed following the other police stings. At the top of that list was the Rock Machine, which waged war with the Hells Angels in Quebec during the 1990s but has never had much of a presence in Manitoba until recently. Tensions escalated last summer with more than a dozen reported incidents, including drive-by shootings and firebombings between Redlined and Rock Machine members, which prompted police to canvass neighbourhoods where well-known bike gang members lived, to warn residents an active gang war was underway. Activity quieted down during the winter, but sources say tensions were still high and the battle over lucrative drug turf was expected to heat up as spring arrives. Guyader confirmed Friday the ongoing biker battle was the impetus for Flatlined. The Hells Angels are once again left picking up the pieces of their gang while others will likely try to fill the void. "And we'll be on top of that," he said. Guyader admitted that doesn't mean an end to organized-crime violence. History has shown other less stable groups, including street gangs, will try to flex their muscle when the Hells are weakened. Police were seen removing two vehicles from Sweeney's Autumnview Drive home. Police will likely move to take control of such goods as part of the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act. At another raid on Government Avenue in East Kildonan, seven police cars established a perimeter around a home while an ambulance sat nearby. Police monitored traffic flow in the area and turned vehicles and pedestrians away. Residents said they never guessed their neighbours were part of the city's underworld. They identified the home as belonging to a couple with three kids: a teenage boy about 17, a girl about 12 and another girl, about 8. The mother is a teacher in the city, one neighbour reported. All appeared to be taken in by police, witnesses told the Free Press.

Hells Angels prez arrested in Manitoba police raids

Hells Angels prez arrested in Manitoba police raids Police raids target Hells Angels

WINNIPEG — Police arrested the current president of the Manitoba Hells Angels and eight others Friday in a series of busts that police believe will cripple the outlaw biker gang. An operation police dubbed Project Flatlined -- an obvious shot at Redlined, which is the Hells Angels puppet club -- rolled out across Winnipeg Friday, with more than 150 officers taking part in raids at an auto parts business and five homes, including a Winnipeg house sources say belongs to current Hells Angels president Dale Sweeney. Sweeney, one of the province's original Hells Angels, was among those arrested, as was his brother Rod, who is also a full-patch HA member. Seven others, including members and associates of the HA and Redlined, were also arrested, while more arrests are expected. All those arrested, except for Rod Sweeney and HA member Carmine Puteri, will be facing a variety of charges including drug trafficking, laundering money and participating in a criminal organization. Police allege the biker gang and its support crew control a good portion of the drug trade in Manitoba, but expect these busts to have a significant impact on their ability to operate. "It should hinder the organization," said Insp. Rick Guyader. "They'll have to shut down until they can recruit some other people into their line of business." Guyader said it would be "naive" not to expect other gangs to attempt to fill the void, but had a message for at least one potential competitor. "The Rock Machine is in our sights," he said. The raid at Sweeney's home Friday raised eyebrows in the posh Waverley West neighbourhood. When Wes Bergen arrived at the new subdivision to work installing insulation, he noticed two police cruiser cars. "I figured that's a bit much for a parking ticket," he said. Sweeney was sentenced to six years in prison in 2002 for his role in a biker feud that occurred the previous summer. It started when former Spartan Kevin Sylvester shot Rod Sweeney while he sat in a tow truck with his young son. One month and three-related shootings later, Sylvester was shot behind the wheel. Sylvester pleaded guilty in April 2002 to discharging a firearm with intent in connection with Sweeney's shooting. Later that year, Dale Sweeney was sentenced for his role in shooting back at Sylvester.

More talker than biker

More talker than biker By Tamara King ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Saturday, March 03, 2012

A Manitoba man who police say once claimed to be the Canadian president of the Vagos never actually became a member, says a well-placed source within the biker gang. Jamie Christopher Korne, 40, who was nabbed recently in a major drugs and gun trafficking bust, was going to head up a local chapter but failed to meet with Vagos brass in the U.S. to seal the deal and seemingly vanished for a year, the source tells the Winnipeg Sun. "He never actually became one. He was supposed to fly out, but he never showed up," said the source. The Vagos were speaking out after Korne's arrest in Project Deplete. In all, 16 people were swept up in the police operation. Court documents related to the bust say that police were concerned about Korne's potential access to guns and associations with gangs. "Korne told the agent during the course of Project Deplete that he is the national president of the Vagos gang," cops said in court documents unsealed in February. Korne — a former Manitoba Bandidos member also linked to the reformed Rock Machine gang — is accused of selling hundreds of grams of cocaine to a police snitch. The two drug transactions took place last October and Jan. 9, court documents state. "I don't want my motorcycle club associated with that crap," said the source. "We're in it for the biking and the brotherhood." The source also denies the Vagos presence in Winnipeg "at all," he said. Dubbed the "Green Nation", the Vagos have members in southern Ontario. In the U.S., the Department of Justice alleges the Vagos have been implicated in assault, extortion, fraud, murder, witness intimidation and other crimes. Traditionally, they're arch rivals to the Hells Angels. The allegations against Korne have not been proven and he is presumed innocent.

Biker busted in Project Deplete

Biker busted in Project Deplete By James Turner ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Sunday, February 26,

A sweeping drug-and-guns dragnet by Manitoba cops has snared the reputed national president of a biker gang gaining police attention in Canada, the Winnipeg Sun has learned. Jamie Christopher Korne, 40, was nabbed last week for his alleged role in Project Deplete, a months-long covert investigation into drug and weapons trafficking. Korne — a former Manitoba Bandidos member who cops claim also once was linked to the reformed Rock Machine gang — is accused of selling hundreds of grams of cocaine to a police snitch paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to inform on the activities of people suspected of being major players in the provincial drug underworld. The two drug transactions Korne is accused in took place last October and as recently as Jan. 9, court documents state. Cops quietly sought arrest warrants for 16 suspects in the case. Each have been directly indicted into court. All are presumed innocent and the allegations have not been proven. The warrant pertaining to Korne was of the so-called "no-knock" variety, allowing them to enter a Boissevain suite unannounced. In court documents, cops say they were concerned about Korne's potential access to guns and associations with gangs. "Korne told the agent during the course of Project Deplete that he is the national president of the Vagos gang," cops said in court documents unsealed last week after his arrest. "Korne told the agent that he along with his associates have access to firearms," the affidavit said. Ontario gang police warned a year ago of the growing threat the California-based Vagos Motorcycle Club posed through an apparent expansion north of the border. "We would like to welcome Canada to the Green Nation," the club announced on its website last spring. The U.S. department of Justice alleges the Vagos, comprised of hundreds of members across the U.S and Mexico, have been implicated in assault, extortion, fraud, murder, witness intimidation and other crimes. Traditionally, they're arch rivals to the Hells Angels. In November 2010, the gang — also known as Green Nation — absorbed nine Toronto-area Rock Machine members. Police were searching for Korne since early February, but didn't track him down until the morning of Feb. 22 in the community of Newdale, about 20 kilometres northwest of Minnedosa. Investigators were initially stumped about exactly where he lived due to a number of "inconsistent" addresses associated to him, they said. That all changed Oct. 24 when Korne asked the informant to give him a lift home from Winnipeg to Boissevain, cops say. Police tailed the vehicle to an intersection in the small town. They did it again on Jan. 9, saying he was dropped off in front of a store they later discovered had two unnumbered suites on its second floor.

13th arrest in Deplete crime bust

13th arrest in Deplete crime bust Winnipeg Sun Wednesday, February 22 Police are searching for a man who might be the last person wanted in a long-term drug bust called Project Deplete. Jamie Christopher Korne, 40, was arrested in rural Manitoba on Wednesday, Winnipeg police said. He was wanted on a warrant for two counts of cocaine trafficking and had been living in Boissevain, police said previously. A police expert’s report on the Rock Machine gang presented in court in 2010 lists Korne as a former full-patch member who was asked to leave the gang after a July 2010 “run” to Dauphin. In 2009, a court in London, Ont., heard Korne was the one-time vice-president of the probationary chapter of the Bandidos in Winnipeg. Korne’s arrest was the 13th in Project Deplete following Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force raids Feb. 3. So far, David Thomas, 29, has eluded arrest. He’s wanted on charges of weapons trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime, and possession of a restricted firearm. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477). Cops had said Thomas was the last on their list after Elmer John Deato, 26, was arrested Feb. 7. AGENT PAID $500K FOR SNITCHING Using a paid police informant was one tactic employed in the recent RCMP-Winnipeg police sweep of the drug underworld — continuing a scheme used by police in similar high-level crime probes in the recent past. An undercover agent is to be paid in the range of $500,000 for his or her role in Project Deplete, a justice source confirmed Monday. The latest sweep saw charges laid against people police accuse of being major players in the city’s drug trade. Some have gang associations, others are more “independent,” police said. Among those arrested were former Hells Angel William (Billy) Bowden and Joshua Lyons, who was convicted in Project Defence, a separate organized crime sting conducted in 2006. As well, justice officials have authorized the use of direct criminal indictments against suspects in the latest case. The bulk of those arrested so far made an initial appearance in the Court of Queen’s Bench Monday. The use of direct indictments means preliminary hearings meant to test the Crown’s evidence are bypassed. Direct indictments were also used in a 2009 crackdown into the Hells Angels-associated Zig Zag Crew gang code-named Project Divide. In that case, police paid former Zig-Zag member Michael Satsatin hundreds of thousands of dollars to inform on the criminal activities of other members. Lawyers appearing for suspects in Project Deplete Monday were given some preliminary disclosure and portable computer hard drives containing police evidence. No evidence was put forward by prosecutors on the record in court. The lawyer for Christopher Murrell, 36, said he plans to make a bail application prior to March 14 — the date Justice Brenda Keyser remanded the cases to. Jay Prober refused comment on the specifics or details of the investigation or allegations against Murrell, who is accused of cocaine-trafficking. He did state he felt the use of direct indictments was unfair to accused people. If a paid informant was used, Prober speculated, it wouldn’t be uncommon for the Crown to use the legal tactic to ensure witness safety. “If there’s an agent involved, they inevitably use direct indictments because they don’t want to bring the agent out more often than necessary,” Prober said. Nearly seven kilograms of cocaine, almost half a kilo of crack, more than 9,800 ecstasy tablets, a kilo of MDMA and large quantities of methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana were seized during Project Deplete, which started in August 2011. Police estimate the total street value of the drugs seized at about $1 million.

New biker gang being formed

New biker gang being formed Bitter rival of Hells Angels, but little muscle By: Bruce Owen Posted: 01/13/2011 1:00 AM

The former vice-president of the now-defunct local chapter of Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang is behind a recent move to form a new biker gang in Winnipeg to compete against the Hells Angels, police and other sources say. The formation of the Vagos in the city is part of a country-wide move to establish a second biker gang in Canada to fill a void created with the dissolution of the Bandidos and the Rock Machine, sources say. The Vagos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Green Nation, is based in southern California and is a bitter rival of the Hells Angels. Last August, the two gangs got into a daylight gunfight in Chino Valley, Ariz. Five people were injured and 27 people were arrested. Winnipeg Police Service Const. Jason Michalyshen said police are aware of the gang's presence. "Currently, there is no known membership in Winnipeg but we're continuing to monitor it," he said. However, sources say there is at least one gang member in the province and likely more waiting in the wings. A recent report said there are now about 25 members and prospects in Canada belonging to the Vagos Nomads chapter, most being in the Toronto area. The original Toronto members, formerly of the Rock Machine, joined the Vagos in late November. Sources say former Winnipeg Bandidos member Jamie "J.C." Korne is behind establishing the Vagos in the province. Until Wednesday Korne's Facebook profile sported Vagos gang colours. Korne grew up in the Maples area. Sources say it's not known if local Vagos members are openly wearing the gang's colours. A newspaper report said so far gang members in Canada are only wearing T-shirts and hoodies with gang insignia. Sources also said it's believed the Vagos will have little muscle to compete with the Hells Angels and their puppet gang, the Zig Zag Crew. Both have been hit hard by police stings over the past few years and recently had their clubhouse seized by the province, but have slowly been rebuilding despite having many members and associates still in prison. "I don't think they have the wheels to do anything," one source said of the Vagos. Korne, 40, is most known for being the vice-president of the local Bandidos as it was forming several years ago in Winnipeg under the leadership of Michael "Taz" Sandham, a former East St. Paul police officer who is now serving a life term in prison for his role in the April 2006 murders of eight fellow Bandidos bikers in rural southwestern Ontario. The eight were killed as part of an internal cleansing. What's unclear is whether the Vagos will also absorb members of the Rock Machine in Manitoba. The Rock Machine, another rival biker gang to the Hells Angels, rose in prominence locally after the demise of the Bandidos. Rock Machine members have had several violent run-ins with the Hells Angels over the past three years, one in which the local Rock Machine chapter president was severely beaten in a south Winnipeg parking lot. The most recent biker-related killing was last Nov. 1 when Daniel Benjamin Kachkan, 34, was shot dead execution-style in the back of the head in his Point Douglas home. No one has been arrested. Kachkan had been a member of the Zig Zag Crew. Who are the Vagos? The name is derived from the words "vagabonds" and "vagrants". Their origin goes back to the 1960s in southern California. They were originally called the Psychos and the Los Vagos They incorporate an image of Loki, the Norse god of mischief, in its patch or colours. The Vagos' Facebook page says the organization has approximately 600 members among 24 chapters in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and three chapters located in Mexico. Two hundred members are in Riverside County, where the gang was started. The FBI and California authorities classifies Vagos as an outlaw motorcycle club involved in methamphetamine and marijuana distribution, extortion, insurance fraud, money laundering and weapons violations.