STURGIS, S.D. – The recent raid on the headquarters of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club in Rapid City has again raised the concern of illegal activity that such motorcycle clubs engage in across the state.
Dubbed O.M.G.’s by the state Division of Criminal Investigation, or Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, agents say “there isn’t a crime that’s off the table that they could be involved in.”
Retired D.C.I. agent Pat West spent 20 years working cases involving O.M.G.’s. He says groups like the Bandidos have clubs in Rapid City and on the eastern side of the state.
“The Bandidos have two different clubs, one in Rapid City and another in Sioux Falls,” West says. “Their numbers fluctuate quite a bit as far a membership, but they are active are always looking to recruit people. And, they reach out to a lot of sub-clubs or support clubs that will help generate numbers for their club itself and also generate money for the group.”
West says among the activities the D.C.I. investigates with O.M.G.’s are drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, possession of each, prostitution and other crimes.
“Anything that makes money for the organization or for the club. You know, they’re involved in assaults, extortion, money laundering ,drug dealing. Again, anything they can do to make money.”
The D.C.I. raided the Bandidos clubhouse on April 28, but it’s still not known why. Details of the raid have not been released.
But, West says it’s not just the Bandidos that have a presence in South Dakota.
“There are at least five main groups. You have the Hell’s Angel’s, Sons of Silence, Mongols, Bandidos and the Outlaws. Those groups seem to, every now and then, make an appearance at the annual Motorcycle Rally. Some have conflicts with each other, some don’t, but you still need to keep track of what they’re doing.”
West says the group’s illegal activities are also becoming more sophisticated as they adapt to new technology, such as smart phones.
West is currently running for Meade County Sheriff against long-time incumbent Ron Merwin.
