North Dakota does not appear to be an epicenter of biker gang activity, but the state has seen violence and criminality tied to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Project Safe Neighborhoods reports that at least 30 gangs have been detected in the state, including Native American, street, prison, motorcycle, and child gangs, with the majority of activity focused in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Bismarck.
Sons of Silence
One of North Dakota’s most infamous biker gangs is the Sons of Silence, a worldwide illegal motorcycle organization formed in Colorado in 1966. The club, which has over 250 members and operates in 12 states as well as Germany, is classified as a criminal organization by the US Department of Justice.
The Sons of Silence are involved in illicit operations such as drug trafficking, arms trafficking, extortion, and murder. They have a substantial presence in North Dakota, particularly in the western portion of the state, having chapters in Minot, Dickinson, Williston, and Mandan.
The Sons of Silence, notorious for violent fights with other gangs such as the Hells Angels, Outlaws, and Mongols, were subjected to a countrywide FBI raid in 1999, which resulted in 37 arrests and the confiscation of narcotics, firearms, and explosives. In 2007, two members were convicted of killing a man in Minot for a drug debt.
Native Mob
Another deadly biker gang in North Dakota is the Native Mob, a Native American gang that operates in several states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. The Native Mob was formed in the 1990s to safeguard Native American communities, but it has now been involved in criminal activities such as drug distribution, robbery, assault, and murder.
The gang has a strong presence in North Dakota, particularly on reservations and in places with major Native American populations such as Fargo and Bismarck, and is notorious for violent clashes with other Native American gangs such as the Native Syndicate and the Native Pride.
In 2013, 25 members of the Native Mob faced federal accusations of racketeering, conspiracy, and murder. In 2018, a Native Mob member was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a rival gang member in Fargo.
Other Biker gangs
Aside from the Sons of Silence and the Native Mob, other biker gangs in North Dakota include the Hells Angels, Pagans, Outlaws, and Bandidos. Considered “one-percenter” motorcycle clubs, they operate illegally, participating in drug trafficking, arms trafficking, extortion, and murder
While these gangs may not have permanent chapters in North Dakota, there have been reports of periodic trips for rallies, events, or territory conflicts. For example, in 2016, a Hells Angels member was arrested in Fargo for having methamphetamine and a handgun.
In 2017, a Pagan member was charged in Bismarck for assaulting a police officer. In 2018, an Outlaws member was arrested in Minot for having cocaine and a handgun. In 2019, a Bandidos member was arrested in Grand Forks for having drugs and a handgun.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while North Dakota is not a major hub for biker gang activity, it does suffer criminality and violence associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs. Project Safe Neighborhoods alleges the presence of around 30 gangs, including infamous factions such as Sons of Silence and Native Mob.
These gangs engage in a variety of unlawful activities, creating law enforcement difficulty. Despite frequent visits from other outlaw clubs, North Dakota is still dealing with the consequences of organized motorcycle gang activity, needing continued vigilance and law enforcement measures.