Laughlin - Harrah's Casino
In about 40 days the 2009 Laughlin River Run (Laughlin, NV) Motorcycle Rally is set to kickoff. The specific dates are April 22-26, 2009. With 10 casinos, top entertainment and riding attractions from Red Rocks, Route 66, Hoover Dam, Colorado River and the Grand Canyon it’s one of the top Nevada Biker Rallies.
Unfortunately and as if somehow timed perfectly to cast a shadow over the event we’re reminded of uglier days courtesy of the Las Vegas Review Journal who reported that the last of the Hells Angels who faced federal charges in the 2002 Laughlin River Run casino shootout was sentenced. I blogged previously HERE and HERE on the motorcycle club clash which left three people dead at Harrah’s Casino.
In all 42 members of the HAMC were indicted on federal racketeering and firearms charges. Judge James Mahan dismissed charges against 36 Hells Angels last year after learning the government did not turn over all of its evidence to the defense team. Six other members of the motorcycle club already received prison terms. Frederick Donahue (34) was a fugitive for five years before surrendering in Las Vegas in July 2008 and he was sentenced last week to 30 months in federal prison. All plea deals were carefully worded to state that each biker acted as an enterprise made up of individuals, not members of the HAMC. This effectively eliminated the HAMC as a criminal enterprise and all bikers avoided enhanced sentences. Jorrg Maykopf of Germany remains the only fugitive.
Described as the worst shooting incident in the history of Nevada casinos it now has legal closure.
As a former member of the alians in New Jersey turned New York Hells Angel I had many fights, at bike shows in Ohio, bars,
Electric Circus. and more as an x biker cluber I never did drugs, started fights, sold drugs ,the ones who say real bikers are trouble do not know us we defend our colors and bikes to death. I am 63 years old and will always fly my colors in my heart AFFA being an ex cluber I can tell you the police and news can say and do any thing they please, the world needs to know that we stay by our selves the partys of troubel come to us not us to them . and when somthing does happen we do fight and do it right if your blood spills like in nevada, i am sure
that we as peple have only heard what the police and news want . in order to end a nother place bikers can go .
I have had a lot of good times with HAMC members and they do have a strict code, you either abide or ride. Living in the Cave Creek area is a real pleasure, to know that the BEST (Sonny) is here to keep a watchful eye and the respect comes natural. I lived in the Spokane Valley when the 1st Chapter organized there, everyone got nervous (other clubs) and their reactions lead to the problems that occured there. Smilen was one to look up to, he ran a good shop no BSn with him, same biz as usual. Just don’t let the *stars* get in our way, so there was a minor confrontation in ’02 in Nevada, don’t let that stop the world. Remember “Fuck with the Best and well you know the rest! 81 Forever……………………………
[…] there have been moments of negative, but in about 3 weeks it will be time for the 2010 Laughlin River Run. I’m looking forward […]