Under and Alone
Have you ever driven along a highway in Southern California when suddenly with a thunderous roar a pack of scrounge Harley-Davidson riders pass you by? You notice on their backs a red and white design and a winged skull or the black and white design of a fierce looking individual on a motorcycle. What you witnessed is the Hells’ Angels or Mongols outlaw motorcycle gangs respectively. You just witnessed a gang of criminal sociopaths who would just as soon beat you down or kill you if you displease one of them. As it turns out, one of the things each gang likes more than stomping you into the ground is the killing of each other.
In Laughlin, Nevada, at the Laughlin River Run in April 2002, about 85 Hells’ Angels attacked approximately 40 Mongols in the Harrah’s Casino. After the shooting and stabbing ended, two Hells’ Angels and one Mongols were dead and many wounded on both sides. Later that night a third Hells’ Angel was shot off his motorcycle in the desert not far from Laughlin. You will notice that the Mongols were attacked and outnumbered 2 to 1 and yet 3 Hells’ Angels died and only 1 Mongols died. That might well be an indication about the ferocity of the Mongols, who are thought to be the most dangerous of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Now retired ATF agent William Queen describes in Under and Alone his life for 28 months as Billy St. John, an undercover agent and a member of the San Fernando chapter of the Mongols. Queen describes with precision the criminal goings-on by the constantly crazed Mongols fueled by both alcohol and methamphetamine. He describes the stomping and knifing of patrons in bars. He tells of motorcycle thefts, drug transactions and the many firearms possessed by the gang .Queen details the many conversations wherein Mongols declared that they would kill any law enforcement officer who tried to infiltrate the gang.
A harrowing incident occurred in a campground in Simi Valley where Mongols from many chapters congregated for the 1998 Memorial Day weekend. Many of the Mongols were high on drugs and alcohol when a Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy drove into the campground. A mad dash ensued to stash firearms and dope from view. Queen was horrified to overhear two Mongols plotting to kill the deputy if he stepped out of his car. Fortunately the deputy remained in his car and departed from the campground.
Queen’s submergence into the depraved subculture took a toll on him personally as the stress built up from both the Mongols and surprisingly from his ATF supervisors and management. At one point it was clear that a close bond developed between Queen and some of the Mongols. That camaraderie conflicted with his true nature and the mission of the investigation.
We, the normal citizens, don’t fathom the level of depravity living among us and we don’t really know about the people putting their lives on the line for us. We owe a great debt and our heartfelt thanks to Bill Queen and his team of ATF agents and Los Angeles County Deputies who spent countless long hours supporting the investigation.
Under and Alone, Random House, is an easy read. What you learn will cause you to never again feel comfortable in the presence of outlaw motorcycle gang members. And, that is as it should be.
In Laughlin, Nevada, at the Laughlin River Run in April 2002, about 85 Hells’ Angels attacked approximately 40 Mongols in the Harrah’s Casino. After the shooting and stabbing ended, two Hells’ Angels and one Mongols were dead and many wounded on both sides. Later that night a third Hells’ Angel was shot off his motorcycle in the desert not far from Laughlin. You will notice that the Mongols were attacked and outnumbered 2 to 1 and yet 3 Hells’ Angels died and only 1 Mongols died. That might well be an indication about the ferocity of the Mongols, who are thought to be the most dangerous of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Now retired ATF agent William Queen describes in Under and Alone his life for 28 months as Billy St. John, an undercover agent and a member of the San Fernando chapter of the Mongols. Queen describes with precision the criminal goings-on by the constantly crazed Mongols fueled by both alcohol and methamphetamine. He describes the stomping and knifing of patrons in bars. He tells of motorcycle thefts, drug transactions and the many firearms possessed by the gang .Queen details the many conversations wherein Mongols declared that they would kill any law enforcement officer who tried to infiltrate the gang.
A harrowing incident occurred in a campground in Simi Valley where Mongols from many chapters congregated for the 1998 Memorial Day weekend. Many of the Mongols were high on drugs and alcohol when a Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy drove into the campground. A mad dash ensued to stash firearms and dope from view. Queen was horrified to overhear two Mongols plotting to kill the deputy if he stepped out of his car. Fortunately the deputy remained in his car and departed from the campground.
Queen’s submergence into the depraved subculture took a toll on him personally as the stress built up from both the Mongols and surprisingly from his ATF supervisors and management. At one point it was clear that a close bond developed between Queen and some of the Mongols. That camaraderie conflicted with his true nature and the mission of the investigation.
We, the normal citizens, don’t fathom the level of depravity living among us and we don’t really know about the people putting their lives on the line for us. We owe a great debt and our heartfelt thanks to Bill Queen and his team of ATF agents and Los Angeles County Deputies who spent countless long hours supporting the investigation.
Under and Alone, Random House, is an easy read. What you learn will cause you to never again feel comfortable in the presence of outlaw motorcycle gang members. And, that is as it should be.
posted by Paul Coambs | 1:31 AM
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