OMG TRENDS IN KANSASPRESENTED BY WESLEY S. VAUGHN, DEPUTY

RENO COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

ABOUT ME

• Served 9 years with the Sheriff Office. 8 years on Patrol. 7 years investigating gang, register offenders, and other extremist groups.

• Before the Sheriff Office Case worker for New Beginnings Shelter.

• Attended University of Michigan with degrees in Sociology and Political Science.

• Local kid born and raised in Sterling KS. Grew up with my wife of 8 years. I have 2 girls that have given me my grey hair.

• Treasurer for Kansas Gang Investigators Association. Member for 6 years.

• A brief plug for KGIA, kgiakansas.com.

OBJECTIVES

• Learn recent history of OMG in KS that have brought us to the current state.

• Learn or perhaps review officer safety concerns with OMGs.

• What known 1% groups work and reside in KS.

OMG HISTORY IN KS FROM 2007 TO 2014

NO TIME FOR ANCIENT HISTORY

• Briefly: You can find OMG incidents starting from the 70’s and 80’s in most LE agencies.

• Our focus is the recent expansion seen in the last several years that are based out of events starting in 2007.

2007 A BAD START

• OMG’s region wide had been in decline.

• Big 3 in KS; Sons of Silence, El Forastero, Galloping Goose were aging and had declining memberships.

• Federal Cases had been also whittling down the numbers and upping the risks to memberships. But we dropped the ball.

YOUNG GUNS/NEW BLOOD

• Focus on SOS outfit. With its clubhouse in Reno County.

• National takes a new direction in recruitment.

• Younger Statewide President, KS Tim.

• KS Tim has vision and is smarter than he looks.

TO THE SUPPORT CLUBS / AAA TEAM

• Learning from how we investigate OMG’s look to Support clubs for recruitment.

WESTWARD HO BIKERS

• Support club Silent Brothers recruit members in and around Liberal KS.

• SOS set up clubhouse for support club in Liberal KS.

• Silent Brothers members become SOS members.

• Liberal is now SOS Clubhouse.

WICHITA 2009

• Other OMG outfits do not expand.

• Hells Lovers set up shop in Wichita and KC-K/KC-MO.

• Bandidos toy with setting up in Wichita. Decide against it cause of SOS.

TOPEKA 2010

• SOS expansion into second club house in Topeka. Establish East and West chapters.

• Majority of SOS Leadership lives in area.

• Hutchinson historical influence with SOS Nationals keeps it functioning.

KANSAS CITY AREA 2009

• KC-MO LE create cases that causes power vaccum in El Forastero and Galloping Goose.

• Vagos intial 1% to enter KCMO and set up clubhouse.

• Break unwritten treaty starts a free for all.

• Now SOS, Mongols, and Bandidos have a presence in KC area and Missouri as a whole.

• Outlaws are rumored to be a presence in KC area.

KS OMG OUTFITS 2014

• Not Since 1980’s have OMG populations been this large. This from KS Tim.

• SOS have Clubhouses in Liberal, Hutchinson, Topeka and in KC-MO. Also recruiting in other cities.

• El Forastero and Galloping Goose remain in Wichita and KC areas. Rumor of expansion into Easter KS along I-135.

• Hells Lovers friendly with SOS remain in Wichita and KC areas.

• Members of Bandidos, Mongols, and Hells Angels live in and near KS.

SO WHAT SORT OF OMG MEMBER IS IN KANSAS

• Younger, running from mid 20’s to mid 40’s.

• Criminal history is minimal for many. We have some in KS that have concealed carry permits.

• Have been in support clubs or other 1% outfits.

• Military experience is a bonus and is sought after.

• Have a history of substance abuse.

• Course the old guard is still here and teaching the young.

OMG’S MAKING MONEY

• Most work 9-5.

• That money is not enough to satisfy club obligations.

• And we are talking about OMG’s.

OMG’S CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES• Drugs

• Guns

• Stolen goods

• Human trafficking

COUNTER SURVEILLANCE BY OMG

• OMG efforts have tactical and strategic importance.

• OMG’s rely primarily on human assists but are involved in electronic countermeasures.

• Internet/social media is a two way street of information.

MORE ON HUMAN ASSETS

• Difference between Street Gang and OMG outfits.

• More assets we care to admit are involved in and around LE and Government agencies.

• Personal history.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ENCOUNTERS

• Traffic Stops

• Interview/Interrogation during the course of an investigation.

• Other encounters while completing your daily tasks and assignments.

• Regardless assume a weapon is on the person or nearby.

• In encounters outside it is rare for the OMG to be on his own or have no contacts that are close by.

TRAFFIC STOP

• One of the more common contacts LE will make.

• The following slides are from what I have learned and experienced with OMG Outfits.

• Other instructors have different approaches. Please continue your education by seeking out Matt Lynch and Scott Nace.

INFO, INFO, INFO

• Pre-Stop Observations

• Unsure whether group or solitary biker is part of a 1% or support club treat as such until you have proven to yourself otherwise.

• Dispatch is your friend here so be descriptive. With Bike, With Rider, With cut or cuts of riders.

• Description of cut and bike are important for other’s response and follow up if things get hairy.

STOP & HAVE CONFIDENCE

• Whether a solitary biker or in a small to large group Rule 1 Control the stop.

• Rule 2 assume a weapon is readily available to the biker. Pad lock, Helmet, handlebar.

• When you make the stop have the biker keep the kickstand up.

• Gives more control. Resistance from biker inform him you will explain why after the stop is completed and before he is on his way.

• Helmet if in use is to be taken off. Trade off between weapon in hand or his head is a weapon. Personal choice for me have the helmet hang on the handlebar.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR.

• Criminal Activity.

• Information on set and or rival/other sets.

• Simple Traffic stop and the information collected.

• Of the 1st two how successful you are will be dependent on the situation.

• Remember be smart about this do not be the guy that makes bad case law.

KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL

• You have to consider the mobility of bikers while conducting your stop.

• Even if there is only one at the start of your stop expect that others will show up.

• Not all the time will they arrive on bikes.

• Do not think the Old Ladies are harmless.

STOP CONCLUSION

• Always ask to search. Cause you never know.

• Take time to explain if he has questions. He is the one opening the dialogue.

• Write out your account and forward a copy to the gang unit. Keep the original for your files.

• If there is an arrest no special treatment. They live for that.

• Follow procedure, Follow procedure, Follow procedure

LETS WRAP IT UP

• OMG’s are as close to organized crime that the state has outside of the Cartels from Mexico.

• OMG’s are still attempting to keep a low key.

• As numbers increase and open territory is claimed violence will become the 1st option.

• OMG’s are no longer aging long grey haired men w/ beards.

• OMG’s are sophisticated and adaptable to LE tactics.

• Keep your head up and your wits about you.

THANK YOU!!

• Wesley Vaughn

• Reno County Sheriff Office

210 W. 1st Hutchinson, KS 67501

620 694-2735 & 620 200-5894

wesley.vaughn@renolec.com & kgiakansas.com