16 members of motorcycle gangs facing federal charges for crimes in Raleigh, Fayetteville

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Federal prosecutors announced an indictment charging 16 members of motorcycle gangs with crimes ranging from murder to racketeering and attempted murder.

Five of the defendants are charged with murder in aid of racketeering in connection with a Raleigh murder that happened on New Year's Day of 2023 when Jonas Padilla was killed.

Federal prosecutors claim Padilla, who was a member of the Pagans biker group was killed by members of the Hells Angels and Red Devils.

"The Hells Angels consider themselves to be part of the 1%. They call themselves the one percenters. Unlike the 99% of law-abiding motorcycle riders, this indictment alleges that the Hells Angels use violence to protect their power and their territory," said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, Jr.

Former FBI agent Frank Brostrom said the group's presence in North Carolina raises alarms because violence, which is sometimes a rite of passage to rise through the ranks of the gang, can sometimes spill out into the public.

"They are a factor that you need to be aware of in your community," Brostrom said.

It's why prosecutors hope that by connecting the dots, they can dismantle some of these gangs with stiffer penalties.

"These groups don't keep us up at night, we keep them up at night," Easley said.

On the most serious murder charges, if convicted that could lead to a mandatory life sentence.

An attorney representing one of the murder suspects told ABC11, "I echo U.S. Attorney Easley's comment that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in this country," and that they look forward to working through the legal process.

The suspects charged are:

Vidaul Rashaad Reed, 31, also known as Hootie, of Columbus, Mississippi, Anthony Edward Cheever, 34, also known as Rowdy, of Garner, David William Stephens, 26, also known as 007, of Spring Lake, Martinus Jermaine Starks, 43, also known as Tee, of Fayetteville, and Tyler Scott Grissom, 31, also known as Snow, of Warrenton. They are all known as alleged members of the Red Devils and are each charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharge of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and, in doing so, causing death related to the alleged murder of Padilla.

Christopher Dylan Manor, 28, of Fayetteville, and Robert Scott Brown, 62, of Cumberland County are both charged with accessory after the fact to Padilla's murder. Manor was allegedly a member of the Red Devils at the time and Brown was allegedly a member of the Hell's Angels.

Jason Lee Hathaway, 47, of Michigan City, Indiana, Fred Joseph Prosperi, 42, also known as Freddy and Snow Boy, of Wheeling, West Virginia, William Scott Gardner, 33, also known as Big Will, of Garner, Terry Lewis Akins Jr., 51, of Palatka, Florida, J.R. Nevarez Darr, 31, of Raleigh, Darrell Dewayne Strickland Jr., 26, of Fayetteville, William Franklin Beasley, 64, of Nashville, and David Lee Woodall, 45, of Fayetteville, are charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering related to the alleged attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon of members of the Pagans on July 22, 2023, in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen restaurant in Wade. They were all allegedly members of the Hell's Angels at the time of the offense.

Jonathan Michael Robarge, 40, of Orlando, is charged with tampering with a witness, victim or informant by harassment. Robarge allegedly has ties to both the Hell's Angels and the Red Devils.

"I want to make it clear: violent activity is not tolerated in Cumberland County," said Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright. "The Sheriff's Office is 100% committed to maintaining a safe and peaceful community. We thoroughly investigate all tips, and it's vital for the community to continue to report what they see because we cannot do it alone. We are grateful for our partnerships with the community, the Justice Department, and federal and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we do and will continue to make a difference."