Buford Men Charged in Connection With Federal Investigation of North Georgia Motorcycle Clubs

An undercover investigation by federal agents has resulted in charges against 23 defendants, most of whom are affiliated with the Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Georgia.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and local law enforcement officers arrested 21 of the defendants and executed seven search warrants including one at the Hoodlums Motorcycle Club headquarters on South Waterworks Road in Buford. Two of the defendants remain at large.

The indictments and a criminal complaint were unsealed today in federal court in Gainesville. According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office, the indictments include charges of methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracy and possession, using and carrying firearms during the commission of drug trafficking crimes, conspiracy to illegally make and transfer a destructive device, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and knowingly transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. The criminal complaint charges three defendants with obstructing the FBI undercover investigation. The charges relate to individual actions or those of small groups of defendants and, according to the United States Attorney’s Office, “do not allege that any of the criminal acts were performed on behalf of the motorcycle gangs or as an official part of membership in the gangs.”

“All but two of the defendants charged in this investigation have direct ties to the Outlaw Motorcycle Club or other motorcycle clubs that are affiliated with and controlled by the Outlaws,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates in a released statement. “The charges unsealed today allege that these motorcycle club members engaged in substantial drug trafficking and weapons offenses. This case is a big step forward in making sure that these groups don’t threaten the safety of our North Georgia communities.”

Two local residents were among those arrested. Among those charged in the federal indictments unsealed today were:

• Phillip Alexander a.k.a. “Skullf**ker,” 49, of Buford – Charged with aiding and abetting the possession of cocaine and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
• Benny Leverett a.k.a. “Outlaw Benny,” 46, of Buford - Charged with aiding and abetting the possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. 

The defendants are either members of, or otherwise affiliated with, the Outlaws, Southern Knights, the Black Pistons, or the Hoodlums Motorcycle Clubs according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

“Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial,” the release stated.

Agencies participating in the investigation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a task force comprised of the law enforcement officials from the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Hall County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The White County Sheriff's Office also assisted.

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