Corrections officer arrested for assault, gang terrorism

WALLA WALLA—The Gang Intelligence Team, a division of the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office, working with multiple regional partners, arrested two men in the early hours of the morning last Thursday. The sheriff’s office has spent the past several months collaborating with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office in Griffin, Georgia, as well as federal law enforcement agencies.

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 (OMG). The Pagan’s are a national 1% OMG, a term which originated from a statement made by the American Motorcycle Association in response to a motorcycle rally held in 1947 in Hollister, Calif., that turned violent. The group frequently participates in violent crimes, trafficking, and racketeering. In the last several months, Pagan’s members nationwide have allegedly participated in bombings, shootings, felonious assaults, and homicides, according to information provided by the WWSO.

Dustin Wendelin, a corrections officer with the Washington Department of Corrections, was arrested at approximately 6:00 a.m at the Washington State Penitentiary on September 9.

Charles Montgomery was arrested at approximately 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Umatilla County, Oregon, on September 9.

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, according to the WWSO.