Vikings MC affiliated with Hells Angels, police say in wake of Project Bombard
Multiple arrests and charges following investigation into 2014 homicide of North River man
A second man has been charged in the 2014 slaying of Dale Porter and 10 others are facing organized crime-related charges following a massive RCMP operation on the Avalon Peninsula.
The RCMP announced Thursday that it had laid 58 charges as a result of Project Bombard.
'Serious setback' for Hells Angels, say police
All but two of the men arrested are members of the Vikings Motorcycle Club. A local doctor and the son of one of the club members are considered associates of the Vikings Motorcycle Club, which police said Thursday is affiliated with the Hells Angels.
The RCMP used a confidential informant in its investigation into the Vikings Motorcycle Club, according to an application by the Crown.
The Crown is heading to Supreme Court in St. John's next month to argue for a publication ban on the name of the informant.
Insp. Holly Turton called Porter's death "a tragic example of the Viking Motorcycle Club's use of violence," and said the arrests represent a "serious setback" in an attempt by the Hells Angels to gain a foothold in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"These individuals have direct links to the trafficking of illicit drugs and the use of intimidation and violence to maintain what they consider to be their property."
To be allowed to use the red and white, the Hells Angels has to permit that, when it comes to motorcycle patches.- Holly Turton
Turton couldn't comment on how the Vikings are affiliated with the Hells Angels, as it's part of a still-ongoing investigation.
"What I can say is that to be able to use the red and white, to be sanctioned to be allowed to use the red and white, the Hells Angels has to permit that, when it comes to motorcycle patches."
Daniel Leonard, 35, of St. John's
- Second-degree murder
Leonard, one of two suspects identified by RCMP in documents filed following the death of Porter, was charged Thursday while the other suspect, Al Potter, was charged with second-degree murder Wednesday.
Leonard appeared in Harbour Grace court Thursday. He has been held in custody for his next appearance on Oct. 17.
Allister Hayley, 47, of St. John's
- Participation in activities of a criminal organization
- Commission of offence for a criminal organization
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
Dr. Brendan Hollohan, 57, of Paradise
Brendan Hollohan, an associate of the club, is a physician who practises in downtown St. John's and works out of 80 Queen's Rd., which is in the same building as Theatre Pharmacy.
- Participation in activities of a criminal organization
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
He was released on a $25,000 recognizance.
Vincent Aloysius Leonard Sr., 58, of St. John's
Vincent Aloysius Leonard is the father of Daniel Leonard and Vincent Leonard Jr.
- Participation in activities of a criminal organization
- Commission of offence for a criminal organization
- Instructing commission of offence for a criminal organization
- Seven counts of trafficking a controlled substance: Three counts of cocaine, two counts of oxycodone, and one count each of cannabis resin and temazepam
- Five counts of possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Wayne Johnson, 57, of St. John's
Wayne Johnson's Hillview Drive West home was searched by police Wednesday.
- Participation in activities of a criminal organization
- Commission of offence for a criminal organization
- Instructing commission of offence for a criminal organization
- Two counts of trafficking cocaine
- Possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Vincent Thomas Leonard Jr., 41, of St. John's
Vincent Leonard Jr. is considered an associate of the club.
- Participation of activities of a criminal organization
- Commission of offence for a criminal organization
- Two counts of trafficking a controlled substance
- Two counts of possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
James Curran, 52, of Cupids
- Participation in activities of criminal organization
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Three counts of trafficking a controlled substance: one each of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl
- Two counts of possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
- Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000
Thomas Snow, 62, of St. John's
Thomas Snow lived above the Sports Bar on Boncloddy Street in St. John's, where the club was operating.
- Participation in activities of criminal organization
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
Kenneth Kerrivan, 53, of St. John's
- Participation in activities of criminal organization
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
Shane Leonard, 30, of St. John's
- Participation in activities of criminal organization
- Commission of offence for criminal organization
- Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
Joseph McIntyre, 41, of South River
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance: One each of heroin and fentanyl
Earlier this week, Vikings Motorcycle Club member Al Potter, 53, was charged in London, Ont. with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Dale Porter, 39.
Porter's body was discovered on his North River property in June 2014.
The police seized several items over the course of the investigation:
- 2.2 kilograms of cocaine
- 556 grams of cannabis resin
- 360 oxycodone pills
- 28 temazepam pills
- 27 grams of powder sold as heroin but is actually 3.6 per cent fentanyl
- Small amount of marijuana
- Small amount of Canadian currency
- Eight motorcycles and two trucks
- Clothing, jewelry, support patches and stickers related to the VIkings Motorcycle Club
With files from Jeremy Eaton and Carolyn Stokes