Fight between motorcycle gang members results in multiple arrests

Four members identified as members of two rival motorcycle gangs were arrested after an altercation at a Big Pine Key restaurant Saturday.

Three members of the Pagan motorcycle gang and one member of the Outlaws were booked into jail after the altercation, which took place at the Boardwalk Grill at 12:30 p.m. Deputies and detectives who responded said the Outlaw gang member, 49 year old Jeffery Jones of Key West, was in the bar wearing a T-shirt that clearly showed his affiliation. Three Pagan members, wearing gang clothing showing their affiliation with the rival club showed up. 41 year old Derek Queen of Key West stayed outside while 55 year old Anthony Eliopulos of Ramrod Key and 60 year old David Mirth of Big Pine Key walked in, confronted Jones and forcibly walked him outside where surveillance video showed them holding him against his will. They removed Jones’ Outlaw T-shirt and then pinned him between two vehicles. That is when deputies arrived on the scene.

Queen had left the scene. All three men were detained for questioning, the two suspects in handcuffs. None of the men were cooperative with the investigation. Jones attempted to leave numerous times and was repeatedly warned to stay on the scene until deputies could complete their investigation. He continued to resist deputies’ efforts and, after 11 warnings, when he tried to walk away again, he was also handcuffed. Queen was also detained after he was later spotted driving by the scene. All three men were transported to jail, initially charged with resisting arrest and obstructing a criminal investigation.

Detectives arrived and asked the manager of the bar for video surveillance of the incident to assist in their investigation. Management refused to release the video. With the help of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a federal subpoena was obtained and the video was released.

Both of these motorcycle gangs are defined by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ)  as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs). According to the DOJ, “OMGs are organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises. OMGs are highly structured criminal organizations whose members engage in criminal activities such as violent crime, weapons trafficking, and drug trafficking.”

After viewing the video and interviewing the victim, Eliopulos, Mirth and Queen were all further charged with Kidnapping / False Imprisonment and Battery.

“We will not tolerate such groups operating here in Monroe County,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “We will continue to make the investigation of gang-related crimes a priority and will not allow the members of such groups to interfere with the day-to-day lives of the peaceful and law-abiding citizens whom we serve.”

Update:

Detectives are continuing their investigation of this incident and, upon further interviewing Jeffrey Jones, he told them he is not an Outlaw Motorcycle gang member but was just wearing an Outlaw T-shirt. The other three men are confirmed members of the Pagan Motorcycle gang.

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