Feds bust motorcycle, ATV theft ring tied to New Orleans gang; they stole from Mississippians

Published 7:20 am Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Nine people involved in the New Orleans-based East Side Wheelie Kings bike gang have pleaded guilty in a scheme that stole more than $200,000 in motorcycles and 4-wheelers in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

The Sun Herald of Biloxi reports the vehicles were stolen from businesses, loaded on to stolen U-Hauls and taken back to New Orleans, where they were sold online.

Seven defendants pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy in the plot, while two pleaded guilty to transportation of stolen vehicles across state lines. Each also faces states charges of burglary or receiving stolen property.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn Van Buskirk says the scheme started in February 2017 and lasted more than a year. The nine defendants now await sentencing on the federal charges.