A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed today charging Jeff Garvin Smith, aka “Fat Dog,” 54, of Mt. Clemens, Michigan, with being a violent felon in possession of body armor, U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg announced.

United States Attorney Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), Detroit, Michigan, Colonel Peter Munoz, Director, Michigan State Police (MSP), East Lansing, Michigan and Thomas E. Brandon, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Smith was arrested today by FBI agents. The one-count indictment charges that after having previously been convicted of a felony crime of violence, Smith possessed two body armor vests in violation of federal law.

The ATF’s and FBI’s investigation has revealed that Smith is the National President of the Devil’s Diciples [sic] Motorcycle Gang, a nationwide organization with chapters in several states and headquartered in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Smith was also charged in a criminal complaint with using a communications facility (a telephone) in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. 843b.

Also charged today were 17 other Devils Diciples members and associates as part of an ongoing investigation by the FBI, Michigan State Police, and the County of Macomb Enforcement Team (COMET).

Criminal complaints were unsealed today charging the following individuals with using a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking:

1. Paul Anthony Darrah, aka Pauli, age 44, of Macomb Township, Michigan (DDMG-National Vice-President)
2. Cary Dale Vandiver, aka Gun Control, age 49, of Mt. Clemens, Michigan (DDMG-National Warlord)
3. Alexis Catherine May, age 56, of Burchville, Michigan
4. John Renny Riede, aka Bear, age 61, of Bay City, Michigan
5. Christopher Raymond Marrocco, aka Slomo, age 31, of Algonac, Michigan
6. Gary Lee Nelson, age 42, of Marine City, Michigan
7. Charles Edward McCarthy, Jr., aka Chuck, age 48, of Roseville, Michigan
8. Dean Anthony Tagliavia, age 41, of Port Huron, Michigan
9. Lauri Ann Ledford, age 39, of Kimball Township, Michigan
10. Jennifer Lee Cicola, age 38, of Macomb Township, Michigan
11. Vernon Nelson Rich, aka Vern, age 44, of Kimball Township, Michigan
12. Deborah Ann Heacock, age 46, of Port Huron, Michigan
13. Michael Vernon Darrah, age 47, of Marine City, Michigan
14. Howard Joseph Quant, aka 44, age 52, of Jeddo, Michigan
15. Timothy Paul Downs, aka Space, age 51, of Chesterfield Township, Michigan
16. Paula Mileha Friscioni, age 43, of Fraser, Michigan

One individual was charged with Title 18 U.S.C. 1001, false statements:

1. David Roy Delong, aka Reverend, age 55, Port Huron, Michigan

In addition to the indictment and criminal complaints, federal forfeiture complaints were filed against the following properties: 2424 Little Street, Port Huron, Michigan (Devil’s Diciples [sic] Motorcycle Gang Clubhouse – Port Huron Chapter) and 43653 Gratiot, Clinton Township, Michigan (Devil’s Diciples [sic] Motorcycle Gang Clubhouse – National Headquarters, State Headquarters, and Detroit/Blue Water Chapters.

During the course of this investigation the following items were seized from the DDMG: 42 firearms, 3,000 rounds of ammunition, 3 bulletproof vests, $12,000 in U.S. currency, 1.5 pounds of meth, 55 pounds of marijuana, 1,000 vicodin/oxycontin pills, and 15 casino style slot machines.

United States Attorney Terrence Berg said, “This case is an example of how the U.S. Attorney’s Office is aggressively prosecuting the most significant leaders of the modern version of organized crime. As evidenced by this indictment and criminal complaints, federal, state and local law enforcement will work tirelessly to protect our communities and punish those who traffic in illegal firearms and drugs.”

SAC Arena stated, “The FBI would like to express appreciation to the MSP and COMET for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation. The cooperation between the agencies is an excellent example of how federal, state, and local law enforcement partners can work together to achieve great results.

SAC Brandon stated, “ATF’s mission is to identify and disrupt armed and violent felons from continuing their criminal activities and that is what has occurred today as a result of joint efforts of all levels of law enforcement.”

Possessing body armor as a violent felon is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. Using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking is punishable by up to 4 years and/or up to $250,000.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Anyone who has any information of interest regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the FBI, Macomb Resident Agency, at (586) 412-4844. The case was investigated by special agents of the ATF and FBI and MSP officers.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Schneider and Saima Mohsin.