Troopers Arrest Four Motorcycle Gang Members for Firearms, Drug Possession

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the motorcycle gang rivaling the Hells Angels for RI territory. Warwick Post regrets, and has corrected, the error. 

WARWICK, RI — RI Troopers arrested four members of the Iron Horse Motorcycle Gang Sept. 2 following a traffic stop of their bikes for moving violations on Rte. 95 Warwick during which they found the men in possession of illegal firearms, meth and clonazapam.

Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, superintendent of the state police, commended the troopers’ action, saying it likely prevented gang violence, given the recent territorial rivalry between the Iron Horsemen and the Hells Angels biker gangs in Rhode Island.

A probable cause search of the men resulted in the troopers seizing several knives in excess of three inches. A search incident to arrest resulted in troopers seizing a loaded 9mm Keltec hand gun, a loaded .380 Keltec handgun, and the seizure of a non-firearm weapon.

The first rider, identified as Robert Frayer, 55, of 205D Skyline Drive, Princeton, Kentucky, was taken into custody and transported to the Hope Valley Barracks. Frayer was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released after posting $10,000 surety bail.

He was charged with the following: • License or permit required for carrying a pistol – 2 counts • Weapons other than Firearms – 2 counts. A formal hearing on the charges was scheduled Monday, Sept. 28.

The second rider,  Michael Matteson, 41, of 4589 Highway 68, Benton, Kentucky, was taken into custody and transported to the Hope Valley Barracks. Matteson was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released after posting $10,000 surety bail on the following charges:

• Possession of Schedule I-V (Clonazepam) • Weapons other than Firearms

The third rider, identified as Jerry Palmer, 58, of 104 Ruth Ave., Princeton, Kentucky was taken into custody and transported to the Hope Valley Barracks. Palmer was processed, arraigned by Justice of the Peace and released after posting $10,000 surety bail on the following charges:

• Weapons other than Firearms – 3 counts

The fourth rider, identified as Steven Overby, 47, of 405 Commerce St., Hardin, Kentucky, was taken into custody and transported to the Hope Valley Barracks. Overby was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released after posting $10,000 surety bail on the following charges:

• Possession of Schedule I-V (Crystal Methamphetamine)

The arrests are the latest in an increase in illegal gang activity in the state as the Hells Angels gang competes for territory in Rhode Island. On Aug. 18, WPRI.com reported the Hells Angels had begun feuding with the Outlaws, who had begun to encroach on the former gang’s RI territory.

O’Donnell said, “I commend the Troopers for their attention to detail in seizing firearms and contraband. With the current climate and ongoing disputes between rival outlaw motorcycle gangs in our region, these arrests may have prevented some violence.”