OMG TRENDS IN KANSAS
PRESENTED BY WESLEY S. VAUGHN, DEPUTY
RENO COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE
ABOUT ME
• Served 9 years with the Sheriff Office. 8 years on Patrol. 7 years
investigating gang, register offenders, and other extremist groups.
• Before the Sheriff Office Case worker for New Beginnings Shelter.
• Attended University of Michigan with degrees in Sociology and Political
Science.
• Local kid born and raised in Sterling KS. Grew up with my wife of 8 years. I
have 2 girls that have given me my grey hair.
• Treasurer for Kansas Gang Investigators Association.
• A brief plug for KGIA, kgiakansas.com.
Member for 6 years.
OBJECTIVES
• Learn recent history of OMG in KS that have brought us to the current state.
• Learn or perhaps review officer safety concerns with OMGs.
• What known 1% groups work and reside in KS.
OMG HISTORY IN KS FROM 2007 TO 2014
NO TIME FOR ANCIENT HISTORY
• Briefly: You can find OMG incidents starting from the 70’s and 80’s in most LE
agencies.
• Our focus is the recent expansion seen in the last several years that are based
out of events starting in 2007.
2007 A BAD START
• OMG’s region wide had been in decline.
• Big 3 in KS; Sons of Silence, El Forastero, Galloping Goose were aging and
had declining memberships.
• Federal Cases had been also whittling down the numbers and upping the risks
to memberships. But we dropped the ball.
YOUNG GUNS/NEW BLOOD
• Focus on SOS outfit. With its clubhouse in Reno County.
• National takes a new direction in recruitment.
• Younger Statewide President, KS Tim.
• KS Tim has vision and is smarter than he looks.
TO THE SUPPORT CLUBS / AAA TEAM
• Learning from how we investigate OMG’s look to Support clubs for recruitment.
WESTWARD HO BIKERS
• Support club Silent Brothers recruit members in and around Liberal KS.
• SOS set up clubhouse for support club in Liberal KS.
• Silent Brothers members become SOS members.
• Liberal is now SOS Clubhouse.
WICHITA 2009
• Other OMG outfits do not expand.
• Hells Lovers set up shop in Wichita and KC-K/KC-MO.
• Bandidos toy with setting up in Wichita. Decide against it cause of SOS.
TOPEKA 2010
• SOS expansion into second club house in Topeka.
Establish East and West
chapters.
• Majority of SOS Leadership lives in area.
• Hutchinson historical influence with SOS Nationals keeps it functioning.
KANSAS CITY AREA 2009
• KC-MO LE create cases that causes power vaccum in El Forastero and Galloping Goose.
• Vagos intial 1% to enter KCMO and set up clubhouse.
• Break unwritten treaty starts a free for all.
• Now SOS, Mongols, and Bandidos have a presence in KC area and Missouri as a whole.
• Outlaws are rumored to be a presence in KC area.
KS OMG OUTFITS 2014
• Not Since 1980’s have OMG populations been this large. This from KS Tim.
• SOS have Clubhouses in Liberal, Hutchinson, Topeka and in KC-MO. Also
recruiting in other cities.
• El Forastero and Galloping Goose remain in Wichita and KC areas.
Rumor of
expansion into Easter KS along I-135.
• Hells Lovers friendly with SOS remain in Wichita and KC areas.
• Members of Bandidos, Mongols, and Hells Angels live in and near KS.
SO WHAT SORT OF OMG MEMBER IS IN KANSAS
• Younger, running from mid 20’s to mid 40’s.
• Criminal history is minimal for many. We have some in KS that have
concealed carry permits.
• Have been in support clubs or other 1% outfits.
• Military experience is a bonus and is sought after.
• Have a history of substance abuse.
• Course the old guard is still here and teaching the young.
OMG’S MAKING MONEY
• Most work 9-5.
• That money is not enough to satisfy club obligations.
• And we are talking about OMG’s.
OMG’S CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES
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•
•
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Drugs
Guns
Stolen goods
Human trafficking
COUNTER SURVEILLANCE BY OMG
• OMG efforts have tactical and strategic importance.
• OMG’s rely primarily on human assists but are involved in electronic
countermeasures.
• Internet/social media is a two way street of information.
MORE ON HUMAN ASSETS
• Difference between Street Gang and OMG outfits.
• More assets we care to admit are involved in and around LE and Government
agencies.
• Personal history.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ENCOUNTERS
• Traffic Stops
• Interview/Interrogation during the course of an investigation.
• Other encounters while completing your daily tasks and assignments.
• Regardless assume a weapon is on the person or nearby.
• In encounters outside it is rare for the OMG to be on his own or have no
contacts that are close by.
TRAFFIC STOP
• One of the more common contacts LE will make.
• The following slides are from what I have learned and experienced with
OMG Outfits.
• Other instructors have different approaches.
by seeking out Matt Lynch and Scott Nace.
Please continue your education
INFO, INFO, INFO
• Pre-Stop Observations
• Unsure whether group or solitary biker is part of a 1% or support club treat
as such until you have proven to yourself otherwise.
• Dispatch is your friend here so be descriptive.
With Bike, With Rider, With cut
or cuts of riders.
• Description of cut and bike are important for other’s response and follow up if
things get hairy.
STOP & HAVE CONFIDENCE
• Whether a solitary biker or in a small to large group Rule 1 Control the stop.
• Rule 2 assume a weapon is readily available to the biker. Pad lock, Helmet,
handlebar.
• When you make the stop have the biker keep the kickstand up.
• Gives more control. Resistance from biker inform him you will explain why
after the stop is completed and before he is on his way.
• Helmet if in use is to be taken off.
Trade off between weapon in hand or his
head is a weapon. Personal choice for me have the helmet hang on the
handlebar.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR.
• Criminal Activity.
• Information on set and or rival/other sets.
• Simple Traffic stop and the information collected.
• Of the 1st two how successful you are will be dependent on the situation.
• Remember be smart about this do not be the guy that makes bad case law.
KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL
• You have to consider the mobility of bikers while conducting your stop.
• Even if there is only one at the start of your stop expect that others will show
up.
• Not all the time will they arrive on bikes.
• Do not think the Old Ladies are harmless.
STOP CONCLUSION
• Always ask to search. Cause you never know.
• Take time to explain if he has questions. He is the one opening the dialogue.
• Write out your account and forward a copy to the gang unit. Keep the
original for your files.
• If there is an arrest no special treatment. They live for that.
• Follow procedure, Follow procedure, Follow procedure
LETS WRAP IT UP
• OMG’s are as close to organized crime that the state has outside of the
Cartels from Mexico.
• OMG’s are still attempting to keep a low key.
• As numbers increase and open territory is claimed violence will become the 1st
option.
• OMG’s are no longer aging long grey haired men w/ beards.
• OMG’s are sophisticated and adaptable to LE tactics.
• Keep your head up and your wits about you.
THANK YOU!!
• Wesley Vaughn
• Reno County Sheriff Office
210 W. 1st Hutchinson, KS 67501
620 694-2735 & 620 200-5894
wesley.vaughn@renolec.com & kgiakansas.com