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Police stand outside the Outlaws motorcycle gang clubhouse on Jefferson and New York Streets on the east side of Indianapolis Wednesday, July 11, 2012 after FBI agents and local law enforcement raided the clubhouse. More than 200 federal and local law enforcement officers raided Indianapolis and Fort Wayne sites Wednesday that are tied to the Outlaws motorcycle gang and rounded up members to face charges that remained sealed. (AP Photo/The Star, Michelle Pemberton) (July 11, 2012) (July 11, 2012) |
INDIANAPOLIS — More than 200 federal and local law enforcement officers raided Indianapolis and Fort Wayne sites today that are tied to the Outlaws motorcycle gang and rounded up members to face charges that remained sealed.
The U.S. attorney's office said in a statement that the operation was the largest federal takedown of alleged gang activity in Indianapolis history. The office scheduled a news conference for later today to discuss the case.
An Outlaws clubhouse in Fort Wayne was among the sites that were raided. FBI agents boxed up evidence and searched the building with a dog while tactical officers stood watch outside, The Journal Gazette reported.
FBI spokesman Drew Northern told The Associated Press that agents also raided Outlaws locations in Indianapolis, but he said he couldn't comment further because the court documents were sealed.
Last year, a federal judge in Virginia sentenced the Outlaws national president to 20 years in prison on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit violence in aid of racketeering related to a violent turf war with the rival Hells Angels.
Fourteen gang members from Indiana and Michigan pleaded guilty in 2009 to charges including assault with a dangerous weapon, cocaine and marijuana distribution and possession of hashish.
Federal prosecutors have described the Outlaws as an international criminal organization.
