Prosecutors introduced fees Monday in opposition to 17 people who find themselves both members of the Hells Angels bike gang or supporters of the group who allegedly took half in a racially motivated assault on three Black males in Ocean Seashore this summer time.
A grand jury indictment returned earlier this month fees the group of defendants within the June 6 assault that left one man stabbed and one other severely overwhelmed.
San Diego County District Legal professional Summer season Stephan mentioned the melee was presumably sparked as a result of one of many victims “dared to speak to one of many girlfriends of those members.”
Stephan mentioned the victims — ages 19, 20 and 21 — have been chased by the defendants, who hurled racial slurs and advised the victims they didn’t belong in that neighborhood.
Whereas one sufferer was capable of flee, the opposite two males have been overwhelmed on Newport Avenue.
A type of males, who was mendacity on the bottom after a number of individuals beat him, was additionally allegedly stabbed within the chest by 43-year-old Troy Anthony Scholder, described as a “longtime Hells Angels chief.” After the stabbing, different defendants spirited Scholder from the crime scene to the gang’s clubhouse in El Cajon, Stephan mentioned.
Scholder, who faces probably the most severe fees among the many group, together with one rely of tried homicide, faces as much as 39 years to life in state jail if convicted. Others face jail phrases starting from three to 17 years.
Stephan mentioned Hells Angels has chapters throughout the state, together with an energetic chapter in San Diego County. Together with participating in felony exercise, the bike gang is “well-known to have a despicable streak of racism, particularly in opposition to Black individuals,” she mentioned.
Among the many defendants, 11 face hate crime allegations, whereas 14 face allegations of committing the assault with a purpose to profit a gang.
All 17 defendants have been arrested final Thursday and Stephan mentioned surveillance footage, cellphone proof and witness testimony helped establish who was concerned within the brawl.
“In San Diego County, we can not, and won’t tolerate violence and racism of any nature, a lot much less crimes like this hateful, vicious and unprovoked assault,” Stephan mentioned in a press release.
A number of of the defendants appeared in court docket on Monday.
Scholder is in custody with out bail. Those that have been allowed to stay out of custody should comply with sure circumstances, together with not associating with the Hells Angels or different bike gangs, and to steer clear of the block of Newport Avenue the place the alleged assault befell.
“These disgusting hate-driven assaults haven’t any place in our neighborhood,” mentioned San Diego police Chief David Nisleit. “There isn’t a stronger method to condemn this violence than to carry the perpetrators accountable to the fullest power of the regulation.”
