Feds charge 75-year-old biker named Snake, two others with kidnapping and torture

Three Kansas City biker club members are facing federal charges of conspiracy of kidnapping and torturing an Independence man over a drug debt.

The three were previously charged in Jackson County Circuit Court in the September 2016 incident. Those charges will be dismissed now that federal charges have been filed.

Two of the defendants are father and son: Gerald L. Holmes, also known as “Jerry” or “Joker,” 25, and Randal G. Holmes, also known as “Peckerwood” or “Wood,” 53.

The third defendant is 75-year-old Richard M. Phoenix, also known as “Snake.”

Gerald and Randal Holmes are in custody, but Phoenix is a fugitive.

According to the federal court indictment, the victim, identified as C.H., was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by Gerald and Randal Holmes.

The victim had been given $16,000 to buy drugs in Colorado but instead went to Las Vegas and spent the money, according to documents filed in the Jackson County case.

After being kidnapped, the victim was punched and choked while in a vehicle.

He was taken to Randal Holmes’ house where he was beaten and assaulted with a hammer and tin snips, according to the allegations.

Phoenix allegedly held the victim at gunpoint when the other defendants left.

When they returned, the victim was taken to a house in Edwards, Mo. He was allegedly punched and pistol-whipped on the drive, the indictment alleges.

At the house, he was allowed to call his father to say that he had deserved the beating and would be home in a few days.

Authorities were able to trace the call and found the victim along with Randal and Gerald Holmes.

This story was originally published September 15, 2017 at 11:45 AM with the headline "Feds charge 75-year-old biker named Snake, two others with kidnapping and torture."