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Hessians Motorcycle Club

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Hessians MC
Founded1968
FoundersThomas F. Maniscalco[1]
Founding locationCosta Mesa, California
Years active1968–present
TerritoryCalifornia, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Idaho and Utah[2]
MembershipApproximately 160 members (as of 1994)[3]
ActivitiesDrug trafficking, murder,robbery and intimidation
Allies

The Hessians Motorcycle Club or Hessians MC is an American "one-percenter" or outlaw motorcycle club.[4]

History

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Instagram".
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Photographs : Hessians Motorcycle Club on Between the Covers".
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Hessians Motorcycle Club". Hessians Motorcycle Club (www.hessiansmc.com).
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ The One Percenter Encyclopedia: The World of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs from Abyss Ghosts to Zombies Elite. Motorbooks. 3 April 2018. ISBN 9780760360552.
  9. ^ "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.