DETROIT–The national president of a motorcycle club was arrested Wednesday on federal charges that include being a violent felon in possession of body armor, federal prosecutors said.
The U.S. attorney's office in Detroit said Jeff G. "Fat Dog" Smith of the Devil's Diciples illegally possessed two body armor vests, and that he and 16 other members of the gang in Michigan also were charged with using a telephone for drug trafficking. Another man was charged with making false statements.
The indictment was unsealed Wednesday after federal agents searched two Devil's Diciples properties, a Port Huron chapter and the national headquarters in Macomb County's Clinton Township.
Federal authorities say they seized 55 pounds of marijuana, 1 1/2 pounds of methamphetamine, Vicodin and OxyContin pills, firearms, ammunition, bulletproof vests and 15 casino-style slot machines.
Smith, 54, of Mount Clemens, and the other defendants were appearing in federal court Wednesday afternoon.
Phone and e-mail messages were left Wednesday afternoon with Smith's attorney Andrew Wise.
Possessing body armor as a violent felon is punishable by up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Using a telephone for drug trafficking is punishable by up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.