Local outlaw motorcycle gang leader sentenced to serve 10 years in state prison on illegal firearm, drug, and other charges
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Darnell S. Weaver announced today that the leader of the Rhode Island chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 10 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading to multiple felony charges stemming from an investigation by the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) in 2017 and 2018 into outlaw motorcycle gangs, known as “Operation Patched Out.”
Deric “Tuna” McGuire (age 38) of Burrillville, entered a plea of nolo contendere to one count of possession of one ounce to one kilogram of cocaine; one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; one count of conspiracy to violate Rhode Island’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act by agreeing to deliver cocaine; one count of conspiracy to violate Rhode Island’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act by agreeing to deliver cocaine and marijuana; one count of conspiracy to sell concealable weapons without proper paperwork and sell firearms to prohibited persons; one count of conspiracy to violate Rhode Island’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act by agreeing to deliver controlled substances; one count of conspiracy to provide a false document to a public official; one count of conspiracy to receive stolen goods over $10,000; and one count of knowingly providing a false statement for the purposes of procuring a loan.
On October 27, 2022, at a hearing before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause, the Court sentenced the defendant to 20 years, with 10 years to serve at the ACI and a 10-year suspended sentence with 20 years of probation. The defendant will also forfeit $80,229 and six cars stemming from his criminal activity.
“Make no mistake, the defendant and the organized criminal enterprise he stood at the center of represent a significant risk to the safety of Rhode Islanders,” said Attorney General Neronha. “The defendant made it his job to place guns in the hands of those who could otherwise not pass a background check. He funded his criminal enterprise by trafficking drugs and stealing valuables from others. Through the hard work of the Rhode Island State Police, in partnership with our prosecutors, this defendant and his associates are off the streets and unable to threaten public safety.”
“I applaud the exhaustive investigative efforts of our Troopers during this investigation into serious organized criminal activity in Rhode Island,” said Colonel Weaver. “Today’s sentencing represents a significant blow to the threat that outlaw motorcycle gangs pose to public safety in our state. As always, I appreciate the great collaborative efforts of our Troopers and prosecutors at the Attorney General’s Office in bringing this defendant to justice.”
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2017 and 2018, the defendant, as the leader of the Rhode Island chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, participated in a criminal enterprise involving illegal possession and distribution of narcotics, illegal possession and sale of firearms, and illegal possession and theft of stolen property.
The defendant was known to law enforcement as the president of the Rhode Island chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, designated as an outlaw motorcycle gang by the United states Department of Justice, that is involved in criminal activity in Rhode Island and nationally through club chapters in numerous states.
Between 2017 and 2018, the RISP conducted an extensive investigation into outlaw motorcycle gangs in Rhode Island, including the defendant and his associates.
On May 23, 2018, investigators executed multiple search warrants at locations in Burrillville, Woonsocket, and North Smithfield, including at the defendant’s home on Central Street in Burrillville. From his residence and a garage bay next to the Pagans clubhouse in Woonsocket, investigators seized approximately 327 grams of cocaine, approximately $29,800 in cash, and eight handguns, including two Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handguns, Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, two Glock 23 .40 caliber semi-automatic handguns, two Glock model 27 .40 caliber semi-automatic handguns, and a Cobra .380 semi-automatic handgun.
Under Rhode Island law, individuals convicted of certain violent crimes are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. The defendant was previously convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in 2014.
During their investigation, the RISP determined that the defendant conspired with his associates to distribute significant amounts of cocaine and marijuana.
The RISP also determined that the defendant conspired to sell firearms, including ghost guns, to individuals otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm.
During that time, the defendant also conspired to steal a Bobcat loader, valued at more than $10,000, as part of a scheme to fence lawn and construction equipment.
Additionally, the defendant conspired to provide a letter to the Rhode Island Parole Board stating that an incarcerated associate had secured employment in an effort to convince the Parole Board to grant him parole.
The defendant also provided a false statement inflating his annual income in order to secure financing for the purchase of a motorcycle.
Operation Patched Out
In total, 61 individuals were arrested stemming from the investigation by the RISP between 2017 and 2018 into outlaw motorcycle gangs in Rhode Island. During their investigation, the RISP determined that the defendant formed and led the Rhode Island Branch of the Pagans Motorcycle Club.
Sergeant Ryan N. Mahoney, Detective Mathew C. Lynch, Detective Gregory DeMarco, and Detective Michael Reynolds of the Rhode Island State Police and Assistant Attorneys General James R. Baum and Joseph J. McBurney of the Office of the Attorney General led the investigation and prosecution of the cases.
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