Warlocks Motorcycle Club
Encyclopedia
The Warlocks Motorcycle Club refers to two totally separate and unaffiliated groups. Both founded in 1967, one is based out of Florida
and the other based out of Pennsylvania
.
that was formed in Darby
, Pennsylvania
in 1967. It was the first official outlaw motorcycle club
founded in Pennsylvania. and there are now chapters throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey
, Massachusetts
, Ohio
, Illinois
, Florida
, and Minnesota
. They bear "colors
" that are unique to the other Warlocks organizations and are the first of the known Warlocks to possess the 1%er diamond patch, worn on their "colors" over their hearts. The club's insignia is a Harpy
, a legendary winged creature in Greek mythology
, and their colors are red and white. The club expanded rapidly at the end of the Vietnam War
when thousands of ex-soldiers returned to the United States
, many to Pennsylvania, feeling outcast from society.
chapter president Craig "Coyote" Gudkneckt. Since several Warlock members had been jumped in a Bensalem bar, Gudkneckt was taken to the home of a Warlock where he was tied up, beaten and pistol-whipped
. Gudkneckt escaped and in violation of underworld codes against speaking to authorities, went straight to the police to report the crime.
On May 6, 1995, Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Police Sgt. Ippolito "Lee" Gonzalez pulled over Warlocks members Robert "Mudman" Simon and Charles Staples on a traffic stop moments after the two had committed a commercial burglary. Simon shot Gonzalez twice, in the head and neck, and Gonzalez died instantly. Simon later said he shot Sergeant Gonzalez because he did not want to return to prison. Simon was quickly apprehended, pled guilty, and was sentenced to death. In 1999, Simon was stomped to death by Ambrose Harris, another death-row inmate, in New Jersey's Trenton State Prison
. Harris argued self-defense, and charges were dropped.
In 2006, Tommy Zaroff, born about , a former President of the Bucks County chapter of the Warlocks was arrested on suspicion of possessing ten pounds of methamphetamine
, and was sentenced to at least five years after pleading guilty to charges including distributing a controlled substance, profiting from illegal acts and conspiracy. On February 4, 2009, Daniel "Dirty Dick" McElheney, born about , was arrested under his alias Richard McElheney, after his home was raided by police. Police seized six rifles, ten handguns and various illegal drugs.
In October 2008, Pennsylvania
State Attorney General Tom Corbett alleged that the Warlocks motorcycle gang are involved with a methamphetamine
manufacturing operation based in Berks County Pennsylvania
. The sting was dubbed "Operation Underground". Corbett said the operation manufactured and distributed $9 million worth of methamphetamine
throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and possibly (supplied) to members of the Warlocks motorcycle gang, which has been linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. "The Warlocks have been the subject of other investigations, and we will continue to investigate the Warlock-Spadafora meth connection," Corbett said. He added that the investigation is continuing and he expects more arrests. There were no Warlocks arrested or charged at the time of this press release.
with chapters in various parts of the United States
, England
and Germany
. The club was established by Tom "Grub" Freeland, an ex-US Navy sailor, on the outskirts of Orlando, Florida
in 1967 and the Mother Chapter is still based there. They have over nine chapters in Florida
, five in South Carolina
, four in Virginia
, three in West Virginia
, one in New York
, two in Lincolnshire
, England
, two in Germany
and one in Canada
. There are also several Nomads
who live and work in states that don't have Warlocks chapters. The club's insignia is a Phoenix sandwiched between the top and bottom rockers, and their colors
are black, red and yellow. Their mottos include "Our Business is None of Your Business" and "Warlocks forever, forever Warlocks" ("W.F.F.W.").
in 1991, after Steve Martin, an undercover agent, infiltrated the club, and several members were arrested and released. Again, in 2003 the ATF investigated the Warlocks, and convicted several members of drug and weapon charges once more. Only a few were convicted. most charges were entrapment against the club.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and the other based out of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Pennsylvania Warlocks
The Warlocks Motorcycle Club is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gangOutlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
that was formed in Darby
Darby, Pennsylvania
Darby is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, along Darby Creek southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It has a public library founded in 1743 and a cemetery more than 300 years old. The Quakers lived there early in the colonial era. Darby was settled about 1660 and was...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1967. It was the first official outlaw motorcycle club
Outlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
founded in Pennsylvania. and there are now chapters throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. They bear "colors
Gang colors
Gang colors are the types or color of clothing, or insignia that are worn by gang members to identify each other. Tattoos may also come under the category of gang colors....
" that are unique to the other Warlocks organizations and are the first of the known Warlocks to possess the 1%er diamond patch, worn on their "colors" over their hearts. The club's insignia is a Harpy
Harpy
In Greek mythology, a harpy was one of the winged spirits best known for constantly stealing all food from Phineas...
, a legendary winged creature in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, and their colors are red and white. The club expanded rapidly at the end of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
when thousands of ex-soldiers returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, many to Pennsylvania, feeling outcast from society.
Criminal activities
In December 1988, the Warlocks kidnapped then the BreedThe Breed Motorcycle Club
The Breed Motorcycle Club is a one-percenter motorcycle gang that was formed 65 miles northeast of Philadelphia in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1965. It was at one time one of the most powerful and feared biker gangs in the Northeastern United States, with a number of chapters in New Jersey and...
chapter president Craig "Coyote" Gudkneckt. Since several Warlock members had been jumped in a Bensalem bar, Gudkneckt was taken to the home of a Warlock where he was tied up, beaten and pistol-whipped
Pistol-whipping
Pistol-whipping is the act of using a handgun as a blunt weapon, wielding it as if it were a club or blackjack. "Pistol-whipping" and "to pistol-whip" were reported as "new words" of American speech in 1955, with cited usages from 1940s...
. Gudkneckt escaped and in violation of underworld codes against speaking to authorities, went straight to the police to report the crime.
On May 6, 1995, Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Police Sgt. Ippolito "Lee" Gonzalez pulled over Warlocks members Robert "Mudman" Simon and Charles Staples on a traffic stop moments after the two had committed a commercial burglary. Simon shot Gonzalez twice, in the head and neck, and Gonzalez died instantly. Simon later said he shot Sergeant Gonzalez because he did not want to return to prison. Simon was quickly apprehended, pled guilty, and was sentenced to death. In 1999, Simon was stomped to death by Ambrose Harris, another death-row inmate, in New Jersey's Trenton State Prison
New Jersey State Prison
The New Jersey State Prison , formerly known as Trenton State Prison, is a state prison in Trenton, New Jersey operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections. It accommodated over 1,900 prisoners as of January, 2005....
. Harris argued self-defense, and charges were dropped.
In 2006, Tommy Zaroff, born about , a former President of the Bucks County chapter of the Warlocks was arrested on suspicion of possessing ten pounds of methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, and was sentenced to at least five years after pleading guilty to charges including distributing a controlled substance, profiting from illegal acts and conspiracy. On February 4, 2009, Daniel "Dirty Dick" McElheney, born about , was arrested under his alias Richard McElheney, after his home was raided by police. Police seized six rifles, ten handguns and various illegal drugs.
In October 2008, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
State Attorney General Tom Corbett alleged that the Warlocks motorcycle gang are involved with a methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
manufacturing operation based in Berks County Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The sting was dubbed "Operation Underground". Corbett said the operation manufactured and distributed $9 million worth of methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and possibly (supplied) to members of the Warlocks motorcycle gang, which has been linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. "The Warlocks have been the subject of other investigations, and we will continue to investigate the Warlock-Spadafora meth connection," Corbett said. He added that the investigation is continuing and he expects more arrests. There were no Warlocks arrested or charged at the time of this press release.
Florida Warlocks
The Warlocks Motorcycle Club, or Warlock Nation, is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gangOutlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
with chapters in various parts of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The club was established by Tom "Grub" Freeland, an ex-US Navy sailor, on the outskirts of Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
in 1967 and the Mother Chapter is still based there. They have over nine chapters in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, five in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, four in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, three in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, one in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, two in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, two in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and one in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. There are also several Nomads
Nomad (motorcycle-club membership)
A Nomad in an outlaw motorcycle club has authority delegated by the National President to enforce club rules and behavior.Most club members wear a territorial rocker which signifies what city/locale, state, or province their chapter is located in. A Nomad's territorial rocker, however, will simply...
who live and work in states that don't have Warlocks chapters. The club's insignia is a Phoenix sandwiched between the top and bottom rockers, and their colors
Gang colors
Gang colors are the types or color of clothing, or insignia that are worn by gang members to identify each other. Tattoos may also come under the category of gang colors....
are black, red and yellow. Their mottos include "Our Business is None of Your Business" and "Warlocks forever, forever Warlocks" ("W.F.F.W.").
Criminal activities
The Warlocks were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
in 1991, after Steve Martin, an undercover agent, infiltrated the club, and several members were arrested and released. Again, in 2003 the ATF investigated the Warlocks, and convicted several members of drug and weapon charges once more. Only a few were convicted. most charges were entrapment against the club.