News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2003

For Additional Information:
Contact: DEA Dallas Field Division
Public Information Officer
G/S Robert N. Evans
214-904-8731

Law Enforcement Takedown Involving Outlaws Motorcycle Organization

Robert L. Surovec, Asst. Special Agent in Charge Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Oklahoma City District Office, Robert G. McCampbell, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, together with William D. Newell, Asst. Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chief M. T. Berry, Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD), and Michael W. Roach, United States Marshal's Service (USMS) announced today a significant law enforcement operation involving the Outlaws motorcycle organization.

Over the past two days, approximately 160 law enforcement officials from ATF, OCPD, DEA, USMS, Oklahoma County District Attorneys' Office, and the United States Attorney's Office have worked together to carry out various arrest and search warrants involving gun and drug related crimes by individuals many of whom are associated with the Outlaws motorcycle organization. Previously sealed indictments for various individuals have been unsealed upon the arrest of the individuals, others are charged by criminal complaint. This effort is the culmination of a two-year investigation.

U. S. Attorney Robert McCampbell said that 27 people had been charged and arrested in Oklahoma in connection with this investigation. "Additionally, in the past two days, 16 search warrants have been completed, 14 in Oklahoma County and one each in Grady and Tulsa County," McCampbell added.

Bill Newell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for ATF said that approximately 175 law enforcement officers were involved in carrying out the search and arrest warrants. "The extensive cooperation among the law enforcement agencies were critical to the success of this action," Newell said.

"Making our streets and communities safer is an important objective of the Department of Justice and my office" said U.S. Attorney McCampbell, "We are pleased to have cooperative relationships between all of our law enforcement partners as we work together to accomplish this objective."

The public is reminded that all individuals charged or arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty.