10 MEN LINKED TO BIKER GANG INDICTED IN RACKETEERING CASE

For the second time in two years, federal prosecutors in Charlotte have
struck at the Outlaws motorcycle gang, leading to the arrests of 10
suspects on racketeering, firearms and drug distribution charges.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, 10 men identified as current and former
members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Clubs of North Carolina are charged in a
continuing federal investigation nicknamed "Operation Speedball."

A federal grand jury indicted the suspects Aug. 4. The indictment remained
sealed until teams of federal, state and local law enforcement agents
arrested the suspects Tuesday in Charlotte, Matthews, Lexington, Southmont
in Davidson County, Thomasville and Atlanta. Authorities also searched
their homes and the Outlaws' clubhouse in Atlanta.

Among those charged are Edward Anthony Shalkowski, identified as a former
president and current member of the Charlotte chapter of the Outlaws, and
George William Lowry III, identified as a former national vice president of
the Outlaws Motorcycle Club and a current member of the Charlotte chapter.

This month's arrests mark the second time since 1997 that federal
prosecutors have indicted Outlaws members and their associates. So far, 33
defendants have been indicted. Twenty-two have pleaded guilty. The
remaining 11, including the 10 arrested Tuesday, are awaiting trial.

"We are continuing to place emphasis on the targeting of allegedly violent
drug organizations," U.S. Attorney Mark Calloway said.

In the early 1970s, the national Hell's Angels and Outlaws motorcycle gangs
absorbed clubs of bandit bikers in the Charlotte area. Drugs, prostitution
and violence fueled the gangs.

The gang members' signature insignia, a skull crossed with two pistons, was
popularized by the 1954 Marlon Brando movie "The Wild One."

A massacre at the Outlaws' clubhouse on July 4, 1979, was the worst mass
killing in Charlotte's history. The five murders remain unsolved.

By the 1980s, the drive-by shootings and blatant commercial sex associated
with the bikers had waned. While the Outlaws kept a lower and less-violent
profile, they continued building strength in the Charlotte area and Lexington.

The Outlaws had sophisticated networks for distributing stolen motorcycles,
methamphetamines and other drugs, court records show.

Tuesday's indictment accuses seven defendants of conspiring to engage in a
pattern of racketeering activities -- specifically, narcotics trafficking.
They are accused of distributing cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine,
Valium and LSD in Mecklenburg County.

Nine of the 10 suspects also are accused of violent acts.

The racketeering and drug-distribution conspiracies, federal prosecutors
say, have been operating since 1980.

Tuesday's indictment also discloses that the defendants have nicknames such
as "Fast Eddie," "Crazy Eddie," "Quiet Keith," "Scooter," "Hammer," "Cool
Ed" and "Trip."

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum punishment of life in prison
and fines totaling $4 million.

Federal prosecutors also are trying to seize defendants' property,
including motorcycle gang clubhouses in Charlotte and Lexington; pistols,
shotguns and rifles; Harley-Davidson motorcycles; a boat and more than
$20,000 in cash.

Among the other items authorities are seeking to seize: a 66 mm anti-tank
weapon, a Nazi flag with members' names written on it, and a baseball cap
and T-shirt that proclaim "Snitches are a dying breed."

FACING FEDERAL CHARGES

Those indicted:

Edward Anthony Shalkowski, 46, Martin Edward Sharp, 47, and George William
Lowry III, 43, all of Charlotte; Keith Brian Cooke, 36, of Monroe; Steven
Howard Burchette, 43, and Frankie Alan Melton, 35, both of Lexington; John
Preston Story Jr., 33, of Southmont; Gary Lee Hunter, 32, of Thomasville;
and John Franklin Garmon, 37, and Fred Glenn Massey, 35, both of Atlanta.