Three members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club have admitted their roles in a series of violent assaults against rival motorcycle gang members, according to pleas entered this week in U.S. District Court before Judge Greg Kays. The convictions mark a significant step in the federal government’s efforts to combat organized crime involving motorcycle gangs in the region.
Christopher W. McGowen, 41, of Platte City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to a string of serious charges, including two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Brandon S. Hodge, 26, of Springfield, entered his guilty plea on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. He admitted to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
The final plea came on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from Arthur L. Reynolds III, 48, of Independence. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
The guilty pleas detailed the involvement of the three men in multiple violent incidents targeting rival motorcycle club members in Missouri and Kansas:
- May 30, 2022, Grain Valley, MO: McGowen and other Pagan’s members and their support club assaulted a lone rival gang member at a local business. The assault involved fists and an axe handle, resulting in physical injury to the victim.
- September 3, 2022, Topeka, KS: McGowen and others traveled to Topeka with the intent of carrying out a “revenge attack” on a rival motorcycle gang known to be holding an event there. Their plan was to assault any rival member they encountered, armed with either an axe handle or a firearm. Although a rival member was spotted, a disagreement within the Pagan’s group prevented the planned shooting, and they returned to the Kansas City area.
- September 17, 2022, Blue Springs, MO: McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds, and other Pagan’s members and their support club pursued and forced a lone rival gang member off the road. Armed with firearms and at least one axe handle, they confronted the victim and shot him seven times, inflicting wounds to his knee, thigh, forearm, biceps, buttocks, and the back of his leg.
Evidence presented in court revealed that following these violent acts, McGowen, Hodge, and Reynolds, along with others involved, were awarded patches by the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club for their participation.
Further investigation led to executing a search warrant at Reynolds’ residence on May 11, 2023. Inside, law enforcement officers discovered seven firearms, various types of ammunition, body armor, and numerous Pagan’s Motorcycle Gang-related items, including support shirts, patches, and organizational paperwork.
Authorities also noted Reynolds’ prior felony conviction for aggravated robbery in Kansas in 2005, for which he served 61 months in custody.
Facing significant federal penalties, McGowen and Reynolds could each be sentenced to up to life in federal prison without parole. Hodge faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison without parole.
It is important to note that these are the maximum statutory sentences, and the court will determine the actual sentences after considering advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings for the three men will be scheduled following the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
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