Hessians Motorcycle Club
 | |
| Founded | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Thomas F. Maniscalco[1] |
| Founding location | Costa Mesa, California |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Territory | California, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Idaho and Utah[2] |
| Membership | Approximately 160 members (as of 1994)[3] |
| Activities | Drug trafficking, murder,robbery and intimidation |
| Allies | |
The Hessians Motorcycle Club or Hessians MC is an American "one-percenter" or outlaw motorcycle club.[4]
History
[edit]The Hessians Motorcycle Club was founded on March 7, 1968, in Southern California by Thomas F. Maniscalco, a motorcycle enthusiast who would later become a Westminster attorney.[1][5][6] The club would soon expand across the nation's western seaboard and in 1972, they claimed to have around 500 members across the United States.[7]
The club's logo features a sabre-pierced skull over an Iron Cross.[8]
Criminal allegations and incidents
[edit]In 1994, eight members of the Hessians MC were arrested on drug and weapons charges following a series of raids in California that were conducted by federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies. The crackdown stemmed from an 8-month investigation into the club, in which ATF agents infiltrated the group's 20-member mother chapter.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Mumm, Natalie (17 February 2023). "founder of Hessians Motorcycle Club turned Lawyer Granted Compassionate Release after Conviction for 1980 Triple Execution Murders; Prosecutors objected to release of Thomas Maniscalco, arguing he poses a significant threat to public safety". Orange County District Attorney. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Instagram".
- ^ "8 in Biker Gang Arrested in 5-City Sweep : Crackdown: About 200 officers seize weapons and drugs in early morning raids. Two federal agents had infiltrated the tightly knit Hessians club". Los Angeles Times. 10 September 1994.
- ^ "Photographs : Hessians Motorcycle Club on Between the Covers".
- ^ "Maniscalco Gets 46 Years to Life for 3 Murders : Courts: The 14-year-long case closes with the biker-attorney's sentence, but an appeal is expected. One victim's father tells judge the pain continues". Los Angeles Times. 1994-06-30. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ "Hessians Motorcycle Club". Hessians Motorcycle Club (www.hessiansmc.com).
- ^ "8 in Biker Gang Arrested in 5-City Sweep : Crackdown: About 200 officers seize weapons and drugs in early morning raids. Two federal agents had infiltrated the tightly knit Hessians club". Los Angeles Times. 10 September 1994.
- ^ The One Percenter Encyclopedia: The World of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs from Abyss Ghosts to Zombies Elite. Motorbooks. 3 April 2018. ISBN 9780760360552.
- ^ "8 in Biker Gang Arrested in 5-City Sweep : Crackdown: About 200 officers seize weapons and drugs in early morning raids. Two federal agents had infiltrated the tightly knit Hessians club". Los Angeles Times. 10 September 1994.