Larry Ortiz Pagan is a Puerto Rican artist whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and spirituality. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ortiz Pagan began his artistic career at a young age, studying drawing and painting under local artists. He later enrolled at the Escuela de Artes Plasticas in San Juan, where he honed his skills in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Ortiz Pagan's artwork often incorporates elements of Puerto Rican folklore and Catholic symbolism, reflecting his cultural heritage and personal beliefs. His use of vibrant colors and intricate detailing creates visually captivating pieces that engage viewers on multiple levels. Through his artwork, he seeks to create a dialogue about Puerto Rican identity and the complex histories and traditions that shape it.
On Sept. 15, 2010, Croke arranged to buy a pound of meth for $6,000 from a biker named Hellboy. They did the deal just off a Jersey highway. After Hellboy drove off with the money, the police swooped in.
Two high-ranking members of the Pagan s Motorcycle Club were indicted today for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, narcotics distribution, and firearms offenses, U. Approximately one week later Aquino and Ortiz shot at an associate of the Hells Angels on the New Jersey Turnpike in retaliation for the Verona assault.
Through his artwork, he seeks to create a dialogue about Puerto Rican identity and the complex histories and traditions that shape it. In addition to his exploration of identity, Ortiz Pagan also delves into themes of memory and spirituality in his artwork. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences and the stories of others, he creates pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia and contemplation.
Eleven Members of The Pagan’s Motorcycle Club Charged with Narcotics Distribution, Firearms Offenses, and Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering
NEWARK, N.J. – Two high-ranking members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club were arrested today for assault in aid of racketeering, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Luis Arocho, aka “LuRoc,” 43, of Keansburg, New Jersey, and Maurice Guzman, aka “Dawg,” 51, of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count of aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. They are scheduled to appear by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.
“Today’s arrests are the latest in a long-running investigation into the illegal activities of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said. “We have now charged 11 members of this outlaw gang with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. Together with our federal, state, and local partners, we remain fully committed to combatting violent crime in New Jersey and prosecuting the members of the criminal organizations who are responsible for it.”
“This investigation has dealt a significant blow to the Pagans motorcycle gang,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson said. “The use of violence, weapons, and intimidation was standard for this criminal organization, and law enforcement made it clear that their behavior would not be tolerated. It is a bad day for the Pagans when the combined forces of DEA, ATF, New Jersey State Police and Union County detectives come after you. These arrests made New Jersey safer and this investigation demonstrated the determination of DEA and our amazing partners to pursue the most violent criminal gangs who choose to violate the law.”
“I can say without question that our collective efforts have disrupted and dismantled the daily illegal activities of the Pagans outlaw motorcycle gang, by strategically removing their most violent and most egregious firearm and drug trafficking members and associates,” ATF Newark Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor said. “This collaborative investigation will undoubtedly make communities safer throughout our state and beyond.”
“The success and scale of this investigation is a testament to the impact a collaboration between law enforcement agencies can have on the safety and security of our communities,” Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of investigators and prosecutors in this long-term effort, which occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, dangerous actors, along with mass quantities of narcotics and firearms, have been removed from our streets.”
“Long-term operations of this magnitude require a tremendous amount of work and patience by cooperating detectives, and while the full scope and impact of this investigation may yet be fully realized, its success continues a year after it began,” Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said. “I commend the hard work and dedication of all the agencies involved. Their efforts have led to the arrests of violent offenders and the seizure of weapons and drugs, which has undoubtedly made our communities safer.”
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:
On April 24, 2018, Arocho, Guzman, and other associates of the Pagans assaulted an associate of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club at a gas station in Newark. The Pagans and the Hells Angels have a long-standing rivalry. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched, and kicked by the Pagans assailants, resulting in significant injuries. Both Arocho and Guzman are high-ranking leaders in the Pagans’ organization.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Nicholas Bucciarelli, aka “Booch,” 56, of Brooklawn, New Jersey, with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, arising from his commission of a gang-related gunpoint assault in which an associate of the Pagans was assaulted for breaking the organization’s rules. Nicholas Marino, aka “Lefty,” 75, of Williamstown, New Jersey, Anthony D’Alessandro, aka “Fugit,” 55, of Williamstown, New Jersey, and Michael Dorazo, aka “Cage,” 42, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, were previously charged by federal criminal complaint for their roles in the assault. At the time of their arrests, Bucciarelli was the sergeant at arms for the Pagans’ Camden County membership chapter, Marino and D’Alessandro served as the president and sergeant at arms, respectively, for the Pagans’ Gloucester County membership chapter, and Dorazo was a member of the Pagans. Bucciarelli was also indicted for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine.
These charges were filed as part of a multi-agency investigation into the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club – an outlaw motorcycle gang known to engage in illegal activity, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crimes. The Pagans have established membership chapters in numerous states and U.S. territories, including multiple active chapters in New Jersey. This investigation involved court-authorized wiretaps, the use of multiple undercover law enforcement agents, and execution of multiple search warrants at physical locations in multiple jurisdictions. Through the investigation, law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of methamphetamine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office previously announced the arrest of Keith Richter, aka “Conan” – the national president of the Pagans – in connection with his illegal possession of a firearm on Feb. 20, 2021. Those charges remain pending.
Law enforcement officials also previously arrested the following individuals in connection with the investigation. (Each of the defendants is charged by federal criminal complaint; the specific charges and corresponding penalties are listed in the chart below.)
Larry Ortiz, aka “Savage,” 31, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Junius Aquino, aka “Jayo,” 38, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, were charged with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for their roles in a gang-related shooting. On Oct. 28, 2020, Ortiz and Aquino shot at an associate of a rival gang while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike. The shooting was committed as part of an ongoing dispute between the Pagans and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Aquino was also charged in a separate criminal complaint with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in connection with a shooting that occurred three days later. On Oct. 31, 2020, Aquino shot at an occupied vehicle in Elizabeth. Law enforcement officers recovered seven .40 caliber shell casings from the shooting scene. On Nov. 5, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Aquino’s residence and recovered, among other items, multiple .40 caliber rounds of ammunition and approximately 50 grams of cocaine. After law enforcement officers recovered the cocaine from Aquino’s residence, Aquino was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of Aquino’s arrest, he was the vice president of the Pagans’ Elizabeth membership chapter.
Ortiz was also charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Nov. 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s residence and recovered approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans’ Jersey City membership chapter.
Daniel Hooban, aka “Jersey,” 33, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On June 29, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hooban’s residence and recovered approximately 30 grams of cocaine and a loaded firearm. At the time of Hooban’s arrest, he was the sergeant at arms for the Pagans’ Jersey City membership chapter.
Glen Turner, aka “Glenny,” 73, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Turner is a long-time member of the Pagans. On Dec. 10, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Turner’s residence and recovered approximately 450 grams of methamphetamine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited a joint task force comprised of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gibson; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Taylor; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Ruotolo; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Callahan, with the investigation leading to these charges.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Timothy D. Sini; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacomo Sacca; special agents of the FBI Cherry Hill Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll in Philadelphia; and the West Deptford Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Chambers, for their assistance with this investigation.
These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Frazer, R. Joseph Gribko, and Samantha C. Fasanello, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints and indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant/Docket Number
Numerous high-ranking Pagans and Mongols in New Jersey in September 2010, prior to meetings to form an alliance between the two gangs.
The use of symbolism and metaphor allows viewers to connect with these themes on a personal level, encouraging introspection and reflection. Ortiz Pagan's artistic practice extends beyond traditional mediums, as he also incorporates performance and installation into his work. Through these interdisciplinary approaches, he challenges the boundaries of artistic expression and invites viewers to engage with his artwork in dynamic and immersive ways. Larry Ortiz Pagan's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout Puerto Rico and internationally, earning him recognition and acclaim. His unique artistic style and thought-provoking themes continue to captivate audiences and spark conversations about identity, memory, and spirituality. As an artist, Ortiz Pagan remains committed to pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities within the realm of visual art..
Reviews for "The Power of Mentorship: Larry Ortiz Pagan's Journey of Paying it Forward"
1. Jessica - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the book "Larry Ortiz Pagan". The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The plot was also weak and unoriginal, filled with clichés and predictable twists. I had high expectations for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. I would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2/5 - "Larry Ortiz Pagan" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The writing style was overly verbose and indulgent, making it a chore to read. The author seemed to prioritize using elaborate descriptions and complex language over storytelling and character development. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and found myself losing interest halfway through. Overall, it fell flat for me.
3. Samantha - 2/5 - In my opinion, "Larry Ortiz Pagan" was a confusing and disjointed read. The narrative jumped around too much, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the plot. The pacing was also uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the characters and their interactions. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it was not a satisfying read for me.
4. Alex - 1/5 - I found "Larry Ortiz Pagan" to be extremely boring and uneventful. The story lacked any real conflict or tension, leaving me disengaged and uninterested. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their journey. The writing style was also dry and uninspiring, further contributing to my overall disappointment. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.
5. Emily - 2/5 - I was not impressed with "Larry Ortiz Pagan". The plot felt convoluted and had too many unnecessary subplots that distracted from the main story. The pacing was also inconsistent, with parts of the book dragging on and others feeling rushed. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.