Pagan’s Motorcycle Club members plead to charges in KC-area rival club assaults
Three Missouri associates of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty last week to assault charges for their involvement in what prosecutors said was a series of attacks on members of rival motorcycle clubs.
The three — Christopher McGowen, 41, of Platte City; Brandon Hodge, 26, of Springfield; and Arthur Reynolds III, 48, of Independence — were among a group of 18 men with alleged connections to the club who federal prosecutors brought charges against in U.S. District Court in Kansas City last year.
McGowen, who court documents identify as the club’s Kansas City chapter president, pleaded guilty May 13 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.
In a statement provided to The Star, McGowen’s attorney, Gregory Watt, said, “At his plea hearing last week, Mr. McGowen showed immense strength. He took responsibility for his actions and looks forward to his sentencing hearing down the road, so he may offer a sincere apology for his participation in the matter at hand. As we continue working on this case, on his behalf, our entire mission is to secure a minimal sentence so he can be reunited with loved ones.”
Hodge pleaded guilty May 14 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
Reynolds pleaded guilty May 15 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of firearms.
Attorneys for Hodge and Reynolds did not respond to requests for comment.
Plea agreement documents for the three men linked them to a September 2022 shooting along U.S. Highway 40 in Blue Springs in which five people were shot after a group followed a member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. The Bandidos rider, identified as the sergeant at arms for the group’s Kansas City chapter, told investigators he was shot after a combined group of riders with the Pagans and the Los Valerosos, a support club, attempted to force him off the highway, according to court documents.
Asked why the group decided to attack him, the victim said he was unsure of the motive but said he heard that a $5,000 bounty had been offered for a Bandidos patch, according to court documents.
McGowen, Reynolds and Hodge were later awarded “taking care of business” patches for their involvement in the shooting, authorities said.
Authorities also linked McGowen to a May 2022 assault of another Bandidos club member at the Sonic Drive-in location in Grain Valley. A group of 8-12 Pagans and Los Valerosos members, including McGowen, allegedly attacked the Bandidos member, who was alone at the time.
Update: After this story was published, a fourth man — Jeremiah Hahn, 42, of Cameron — who prosecutors said was connected to the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
This story was originally published May 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM.
