Vikings MC affiliated with Hells Angels, police say in wake of Project Bombard - Action News
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Vikings MC affiliated with Hells Angels, police say in wake of Project Bombard

A second suspect in Dale Porter's death has been charged with second-degree murder.

Multiple arrests and charges following investigation into 2014 homicide of North River man

A second man has been charged in the 2014 slaying of Dale Porter and 10 others are facing organized crime-related charges following a massive RCMP operation on the Avalon Peninsula.

The RCMP announced Thursday that it hadlaid58 charges as a result of Project Bombard.

'Serious setback' for Hells Angels, say police

All but two of the men arrested are members of the Vikings Motorcycle Club. A local doctor and the son of one of the club members are considered associates of the Vikings Motorcycle Club, which police said Thursday is affiliated with the Hells Angels.

Items seized in Project Bombard

8 years ago
Duration 2:47
The RCMP displayed various items taken during the Project Bombard searches including trucks, motorcycles, weapons, clothing and drugs.

The RCMP used a confidential informant in its investigation into the Vikings Motorcycle Club, according to an application by the Crown.

The Crown is heading to Supreme Court in St. John's next month to argue for a publication ban on the name of the informant.

Vikings Motorcycle Club

8 years ago
Duration 1:30
Members of the Vikings Motorcycle Club were brought into court on Thursday.

Insp. HollyTurtoncalled Porter's death "a tragic example of the Viking Motorcycle Club's use of violence," and said the arrests represent a "serious setback" in an attempt by the Hells Angels to gain a foothold in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"These individuals have direct links to the trafficking of illicit drugs and the use of intimidation and violence to maintain what they consider to be their property."

To be allowed to use the red and white, the Hells Angels has to permit that, when it comes to motorcycle patches.- Holly Turton

Turtoncouldn't comment on how the Vikings are affiliated with the Hells Angels, as it's part of a still-ongoing investigation.

"What I can say is that to be able to use the red and white, to be sanctioned to be allowed to use the red and white, the Hells Angels has to permit that, when it comes to motorcycle patches."

Daniel Leonard, 35, of St. John's

Daniel Leonard, centre, is charged with murder in relation to the death of Dale Porter in North River in June 2014. (CBC)
  • Second-degree murder

Leonard, one of two suspects identified by RCMPin documents filed following the death of Porter, was charged Thursdaywhile the other suspect, Al Potter, was charged with second-degree murder Wednesday.

Leonard appeared in Harbour Grace court Thursday. He has been held in custody for his next appearance onOct. 17.

Police display items seized during six searches as part of Project Bombard, which resulted in 59 charges against members of a St. John's motorcycle club and their affiliates. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

AllisterHayley, 47, of St. John's

Allister Hayley is led into provincial court in St. John's on Thursday. He was one of 10 people arrested Wednesday as the result of an investigation into the death of Dale Porter (Ted Dillon/CBC)
  • Participation in activities of a criminal organization
  • Commission of offence for a criminal organization
  • Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance

Dr.Brendan Hollohan, 57, of Paradise

Brendan Hollohan, a physician who practises in St. John's, has been charged with participating in a criminal organization as well as trafficking oxycodone. (Ted Dillon/CBC)

BrendanHollohan,an associate of the club, is aphysician whopractisesin downtown St. John's andworks out of 80 Queen's Rd., which is in the same building as Theatre Pharmacy.

  • Participation in activities of a criminal organization
  • Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance

He was released on a $25,000 recognizance.

Vincent Aloysius Leonard Sr., 58, of St. John's

Vincent Leonard Sr. is facing a number of gang and drug related charges. (Ted Dillon/CBC)

VincentAloysiusLeonardis the father ofDaniel Leonard and Vincent Leonard Jr.

  • Participation in activities of a criminal organization
  • Commission of offence for a criminal organization
  • Instructing commission of offence for a criminal organization
  • Seven counts oftrafficking a controlled substance: Three counts of cocaine, two counts of oxycodone, and one count each of cannabis resin and temazepam
  • Five counts of possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
  • Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
  • Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000

Wayne Johnson, 57, of St. John's

Wayne Johnson is led into provincial court in St. John's on Thursday. (Ted Dillon/CBC)

Wayne Johnson'sHillview Drive West home was searched by police Wednesday.

  • Participation in activities of a criminal organization
  • Commission of offence for a criminal organization
  • Instructing commission of offence for a criminal organization
  • Two counts of trafficking cocaine
  • Possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
  • Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance
  • Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000

Vincent Thomas Leonard Jr., 41, of St. John's

Vincent Leonard Jr., 40, is led into provincial court in St. John's on Thursday. (Ted Dillon/CBC)

Vincent Leonard Jr. is consideredan associateof the club.

  • Participation of activities of a criminal organization
  • Commission of offence for a criminal organization
  • Two counts of trafficking a controlled substance
  • Two counts of possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
  • Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000

James Curran, 52, of Cupids

James Curran, seen here during a court appearance earlier this year, is charged with trafficking heroin and fentanyl. (CBC)
  • Participation in activities of criminal organization
  • Commission of offence for criminal organization
  • Three counts of trafficking a controlled substance: one each of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl
  • Two countsof possession for purpose of trafficking a controlled substance
  • Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000

Thomas Snow, 62, of St. John's

Thomas Snow, 62, lived above the Sports Bar on Boncloddy Street and was arrested on Cabot Street on Wednesday. (Eddy Kennedy/CBC)

Thomas Snowlived above the Sports Bar on Boncloddy Street in St. John's, where the club was operating.

  • Participation in activities of criminal organization
  • Commission of offence for criminal organization
  • Conspiracyto traffic in a controlled substance

Kenneth Kerrivan, 53, of St. John's

Kenneth Kerrivan, 53, is led into provincial court in St. John's on Thursday. (Ted Dillon/CBC)
  • Participation in activities of criminal organization
  • Commission of offence forcriminal organization
  • Conspiracyto traffic in a controlled substance

Shane Leonard, 30, of St. John's

Shane Leonard, 30, is charged with participating in a criminal organization in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario as well as drug charges. (Ted Dillon/CBC)
  • Participation in activities of criminal organization
  • Commission of offence forcriminal organization
  • Conspiracyto traffic in a controlled substance

Joseph McIntyre, 41, of South River

  • Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance: One each of heroin and fentanyl

Earlier this week, Vikings Motorcycle Club member Al Potter, 53, was charged in London, Ont. with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Dale Porter, 39.

Porter's body was discovered on his North River property in June 2014.

Daniel Leonard has been charged with the second-degree murder of North River resident Dale Porter, 39, pictured here working on a fishing boat. (Submitted photo)

The police seized several items over the course of the investigation:

  • 2.2 kilograms of cocaine
  • 556 grams of cannabis resin
  • 360 oxycodone pills
  • 28 temazepam pills
  • 27 grams of powder sold as heroin but is actually 3.6 per cent fentanyl
  • Small amount of marijuana
  • Small amount of Canadian currency
  • Eight motorcycles and two trucks
  • Clothing, jewelry, support patches and stickers related to the VIkingsMotorcycle Club

With files from Jeremy Eaton and Carolyn Stokes