Violent Georgia motorcycle gang operates near military bases, recruits military personnel

Alexandra Koch, Augusta Chronicle
Updated ·3 min read
18

After new information was released regarding an indictment against nine former soldiers accused of committing crimes in a Georgia motorcycle gang, local experts have weighed in on these gangs' tactics and connections to the military.

Founded in 1967 in Detroit, Michigan, Outcast Motorcycle Club has 67 chapters across the country, including four in Georgia, according to state Attorney General Chris Carr. The second Outcast chapter was formed in Atlanta and additional chapters are located in Augusta, Hawkinsville and Savannah.

FILE - The Outcast Georgia sign hangs outside the motorcycle club headquarters on East Boundary and Sand Bar Ferry Road in Augusta, Ga., on Monday, May 15, 2023.
FILE - The Outcast Georgia sign hangs outside the motorcycle club headquarters on East Boundary and Sand Bar Ferry Road in Augusta, Ga., on Monday, May 15, 2023.

The Attorney General's Office confirmed the club is considered an outlaw motorcycle gang or a “One-Percenter” motorcycle gang and said the organization has a highly organized structure with hierarchical leadership. "One-percenter" refers to outlaw motorcycle gang culture, according to Jose Ramirez, president of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association.

"Motorcycle clubs that consider themselves to be one-percenters don't adhere to the law and don't consider themselves to be part of the American Motorcycle Association," Ramirez said. "Ninety-nine percent of motorcycle enthusiasts abide by the AMA's rules and laws, but the one-percenters engage in criminal activity. They have identifiers such as a 1% patch that they put on their clothes and they have ranks and structure."

Carr confirmed members of the Southeast Georgia Chapter of the Outcast Motorcycle Gang engaged in criminal activity in Bryan County, Chatham County, Crisp County, Douglas County, Glynn County, Liberty County, McIntosh County, Richmond County, Colleton County (South Carolina), and Fort Bragg (North Carolina).

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All of the mentioned counties are located near military bases or institutions:

  • Richmond County is home to Fort Gordon

  • Bryan and Liberty counties are near Fort Stewart

  • Chatham County is home to Hunter Army Airfield

  • Crisp County is less than 60 miles from Robins Air Force Base and about 80 miles from Moody Air Force Base

  • Douglas County is about 30 miles from Dobbins Air Reserve Base

  • Glynn County is about 45 miles from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

  • McIntosh County is less than 40 miles from Fort Stewart

  • Colleton County, South Carolina is less than 50 miles from Joint Base Charleston

  • Fort Bragg, North Carolina is home to Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives public information officer Nathan Banks said the agency cannot "speculate to why the clubhouses are in those specific locations," but did confirm biker gangs recruit former military members.

A news release from the Attorney General's Office noted the Army CID and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the year-long investigation leading to the indictment. However, Fort Gordon denied any ties to the group.

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Motorcycle gang tactics, recruiting techniques

While it is not uncommon for biker gangs to locate near military bases, Ramirez said clubs usually try to commit crimes in areas where there isn't a large law enforcement presence.

"It can be strategic to set up near a military base because it allows for recruitment, but it's also strategic to set up in rural areas where you're able to get away with [committing crimes]," he said.

Motorcycle gangs are notoriously difficult to charge because of the brotherhood aspect and the "don't snitch" mentality.

FILE - Empty shell casings sit on the ground outside the Outcast motorcycle club headquarters on East Boundary and Sand Bar Ferry Road in Augusta, Ga., on Monday, May 15, 2023. A shooting at the intersection left two dead and four injured.
FILE - Empty shell casings sit on the ground outside the Outcast motorcycle club headquarters on East Boundary and Sand Bar Ferry Road in Augusta, Ga., on Monday, May 15, 2023. A shooting at the intersection left two dead and four injured.

"There's protocol within motorcycle gangs and that is a code of silence," Ramirez said. "You do not talk. You do not cooperate with law enforcement. You do not flip on your brothers. In the motorcycle gang culture, they will make sure that every motorcycle club out there knows you snitched, which gives a green light to any motorcycle club to go after them, not only their own club."

He added even witnesses who have no involvement in a motorcycle gang often refuse to testify against the gangs, fearing their power.

"The gangs send a clear message ... 'If we're willing to [commit crimes against rival gangs], we're willing to do something to somebody that's willing to testify or rat us out,'" Ramirez said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Outcast Motorcycle Gang's connection to former military in Georgia