US attorney’s office in Detroit drops charges against members of national motorcycle club

Charges dropped against motorcycle club members

DETROIT — Federal prosecutors in Michigan have dismissed criminal charges against nearly two dozen defendants in the government’s investigation of a motorcycle club.

Spokeswoman Gina Balaya of the U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit told the Detroit Free Press on Thursday that 54-year-old Jeff “Fat Dog” Smith of Mount Clemens, the national leader of the Devil’s Diciples, still faces charges.

Smith was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of body armor and using a telephone for drug trafficking.

His attorney, Andrew Wise, declined to comment Thursday.

The other members of the club were charged in criminal complaints. Most were charged with using a phone for drug trafficking.

Their charges were dismissed Monday and Tuesday.