WWSO arrests two in motorcycle gang investigation
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 9th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Cooperation among multiple agencies results in two arrests of Pagan 1% Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members. The following is a news release from the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office.
In the early morning hours of September 9, 2021, the Gang Intelligence Team of the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office, as well as multiple regional partners, made arrests on outlaw motorcycle gang members.
For several months, WWSO has been collaborating with Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, in Griffin, Georgia, as well as federal law enforcement partners. Intelligence generated from traffic stops in Walla Walla County led to a joint investigation into two local members of the Pagan’s 1% Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. The Pagan’s OMG are a national 1% Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. They frequently participate in violent crime, trafficking, and racketeering. In the last several months, Pagan’s members nationwide have allegedly participated in bombings, shootings, felonious assaults, and homicides.
At approximately 6:00 AM on September 9, Dustin Wendelin, who is a Corrections Officer with the Washington Department of Corrections, was arrested at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
At approximately 9:00 AM on September 9, Charles Montgomery was arrested at his residence in Umatilla County, Oregon.
Both men are indicted in Georgia with charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, and three counts each of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. Both also hold leadership positions in a local Pagan’s chapter. Their extradition to Georgia is the first step in a joint investigation into the West Coast Pagan’s OMG, and investigation continues with additional charges pending.
This operation would not be successful without the cooperation of many local, state, and
federal agencies to help the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office Gang Intelligence Team. Big thanks and much credit go to:
Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia
Milton-Freewater Police Department
Washington State Patrol
Hermiston Police Department
Morrow County Sheriff’s Office
Umatilla Tribal Police Department
Boardman Police Department
Pendleton Police Department
Washington Department of Corrections Special Investigation Service
Portland Police Department
Seattle Police Department
Spokane Police Department
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Drug Enforcement Agency
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Further information is not being released in relation to the investigation.
NEW INFORMATION: WWSO reports that Wendelin is 40 years old and Montgomery is 29. Both men are residents of Milton-Freewater.
