Hell's Lovers: Nineteen suspects appear in court on drugs, weapons, explosives charges

Nineteen members of the Hell's Lovers motorcycle gang appeared in court yesterday -- so many that the suspects reportedly filled the jury box and flooded into the front-row area reserved for observers. That's the scope of federal indictments on view below, which allege a slew of charges involving drugs, weapons,...

By Michael Roberts

January 24, 2012

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Nineteen members of the Hell's Lovers motorcycle gang appeared in court yesterday -- so many that the suspects reportedly filled the jury box and flooded into the front-row area reserved for observers. That's the scope of federal indictments on view below, which allege a slew of charges involving drugs, weapons, explosives and more. The first indictment seen here is directed at the trio of Vincent Giron Jr., Joel Wright and Patrick Lowder, who were accused of being the bomb, in a manner of speaking. Charges against them include possession of stolen explosive materials; possession of a prohibited weapon; possessing, making and transferring prohibited weapons; possession of body armor by a prohibited person; and aiding and abetting.

Where did they get this stuff? Well, some of it apparently came from law enforcement, including a couple of flash-bang devices and a ballistic vest once the property of the Adams County Sheriff's Office and another vest that went missing from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

No way to get officers' attention faster than to swipe their toys.

Sixteen brethren of Giron and company, ranging alphabetically from George Askew to Clifford Wright, are featured in the second indictment accessible here. Most of the allegations in their names involve drug distribution -- marijuana in a number of instances, but also cocaine of the crack and powder variety.

From 2005 to 2011, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the men used various Hell's Lovers club houses in Commerce City or Denver as HQ for their distribution network. During the course of the investigation, officers also found some lethal firearms and ammo plus over $16,000 in cash. Several homes of suspected members were also raided in recent days.

If convicted, the nineteen face jail stints of ten-to-twenty years and up, and fines that could reach $4 million. That's not showing the Lovers much love.

Look below to see more photos of confiscated items, the aforementioned indictments and a 9News report about the court visit.

Hell's Lovers Indictment 1

Hell's Lovers Indictment 2

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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