Two alleged biker gang members face charges after traffic stop in Harrisonville
Two men accused of belonging to outlaw motorcycle gangs were charged with illegally possessing firearms after a traffic stop in Missouri, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri has charged 52-year-old Marvin L. Paup and 63-year-old Joseph A. McCollum each with one count each of felon in possession of a firearm. The charges stem from a traffic stop about 2 p.m. on May 2 in Harrisonville, according to court documents.
A Harrisonville police officer was headed south on Lexington Street behind two motorcyclists, later identified as Paup, who is also known as “Bandido Marv,” and McCollum.
At a stop sign at Wall Street, Paup allegedly pulled out in front of a white vehicle, cutting it off and forcing the driver to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision. McCollum stopped and waved the vehicle on.
The officer continued to follow the motorcyclists and saw Paup allegedly cross over the center yellow line. The officer pulled the motorcyclists over near Commercial and Vine streets. The officer asked if they were carrying firearms, and both said they had their firearms in their vests.
At the time of the stop, Paup was wearing a vest that identified him as the vice president of the El Dorado, Kansas, chapter of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, which law enforcement identifies as an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Meanwhile, McCollum’s vest identified him as the vice president of the El Dorado chapter of the Avispon Motorcycle Club, a support club for the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.
Paup allegedly had a loaded .45 semi-automatic pistol, along with a second loaded magazine and a shoulder holster. McCollum allegedly had a loaded .45 semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine in a makeshift holster sewn in his vest. He also had a second loaded magazine in his vest.
When questioned by a detective, Paup allegedly admitted to having felony convictions out of Missouri for passing bad checks. He allegedly told the detective that the firearm was legal, but not in his name.
Paup also allegedly told the detective that the only reason he carries a firearm is because of an incident that occurred during the Lake of the Ozarks Bike Fest at Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson involving the Mongols Motorcycle Gang, where he was assaulted, and the Hells Angels had to intervene.
McCollum allegedly told the detective that he had felony convictions for domestic assault and kidnapping. McCollum told the detective he bought his gun from “a buddy who had bought it new,” according to court documents.
McCollum also told the detective he only carried the gun because of an incident in Texas, referring to an assault incident in Midland, Texas, on April 25 between the Bandidos and the Mongols motorcycle gangs. McCollum said they had been told to watch their backs.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to have a firearm or ammunition.
