Hell’s Angels Gang Member Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution
SAN DIEGO – Obediah Breer, Escondido resident and member of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 12 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine.
The charges stemmed from two incidents in August and September of 2018 outlined in his January plea agreement. Breer was arrested on state charges on August 15, 2018, when the Oceanside Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant on his Escondido residence and discovered cocaine, methamphetamine, pharmaceutical pills and a firearm.
The warrant was based on an incident in which Breer was alleged to have brandished a firearm during a traffic encounter with other motorists on August 5, 2018, and then evaded police officers in a subsequent chase.
According to a federal complaint, during the search of his home Breer acknowledged evading officers in the August 5 traffic incident. He also admitted that he possessed the .22 caliber firearm, and that he is a member of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang. He was arrested.
The second incident occurred on September 11, 2018, when Breer was out of custody on pretrial release for the August 15 offense. Escondido Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of Breer on his motorcycle and discovered that he was in possession of methamphetamine and cocaine.
State and federal prosecutors agreed at that point the case should be prosecuted federally.
In all, the substances possessed by the defendant on August 15 and later on September 11, included 68.23 grams of fentanyl, 83.99 grams of cocaine, 108.6 grams of methamphetamine and 3.54 grams of MDMA, a Schedule I and II Controlled Substances, according to the federal plea agreement.
"This is a great example of working as a team to protect our community," said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. "This motorcycle gang member has a long history of methamphetamine trafficking offenses. We are glad he will be off the streets for a long time. I am proud of our prosecutor, Brandon Kimura, and our law enforcement partners, for their hard work on this case."
"ATF recognizes the role firearms play in violent crimes and narcotic trafficking," said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Carlos A. Canino. "We prioritize our resources to focus on armed violent offenders, career criminals, and violent gang members and use the enhanced sentencing guidelines for these offenders. The sentencing is an example of ATF, state and local law enforcement, and federal prosecutors working together to keep our communities safe."
"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case. Through the collaborative investigative efforts of federal and local law enforcement, the menace Obediah Breer poses to our communities has been eliminated for years. We are grateful that the citizens of Oceanside and Escondido will be safer knowing the Hell’s Angel motorcycle gang’s capabilities and influence have been significantly impacted by Breer’s conviction." -- Chief Craig Carter, Escondido Police Department.
DEFENDANTS 18-cr-04624-LAB
Obediah Breer Age: 42 Escondido, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 21 U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1) – Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
Maximum Penalty – Twenty years in prison, $1 million fine
AGENCY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Oceanside Police Department
Escondido Police Department
*This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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