Hells Angel's court case relocated over security concerns

A judge has relocated the court appearance of aFredericton man, identified by RCMPas a full-patch member of the Hells Angels, to Saint John because of security concerns.

Robin Moulton, 48, appeared in Woodstock provincial court on Friday morning to face charges ofpossession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a restricted firearm a 9 mm Beretta without a licence.

• RCMP arrest Hells Angels member from Fredericton

NumerousRCMPandWoodstockpolice officers were on hand for the 10:30 a.m. court appearance, as well as several sheriff's deputies.

Police circled the courthouse for about 90 minutes beforeMoulton's scheduled appearance.

Moultonarrived in a white sheriff's van, in the middle of aprocession of marked and unmarked police vehicles.

Someone across the street appeared to be recording his arrival, CBC's Catherine Harrop reported from the scene.

Duty counsel requested thecasebe adjourned to giveMoultontime to contact his lawyer, T.J. Burke. Federal Crown prosecutor Nicole Angersdid not object.

Burton-based Judge PierreDubset thematterover without plea until Aug. 31 at 10 a.m., but switched the venue toSaint John, citing security concerns.

Hells Angel's member has court appearance relocated over security concerns

7 years ago

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Robin Moulton, 48, appeared in Woodstock provincial court on Friday morning to face charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a restricted firearm a 9 mm Beretta without a licence.Unlike theWoodstockcourthouse,the Saint John Law Courts building has underground access, so an accused doesn't have to walk outside from the sheriff's van to court.

Moulton, who was arrested on Tuesday nearWoodstock,remains in custody.

He is a member of the Hells Angels MC,Nomads New Brunswick chapter, according to RCMPCpl. JullieRogers-Marsh. The chapterwas established in the province last fall, she said.

Moulton has distinctive Hells Angels wing tattoos on his neck and right arm.

HisFacebook pageincludes photographs of him wearing a Nomads New Brunswickpatch and articles of clothing bearing the Route 81 Maritimes Inc. logo.

Route 81 Maritimes Inc. isthe merchandising armof the Hells Angels.The Service New Brunswickcorporate affairs registry lists a RobinMoultonof 214 Brunswick St., Apt. 201, as director of the company.The registration was last updated on Aug. 1, the document shows.

Another Facebook page identifies Moultonas being a trained chef and butcher.The page, which has not had any public postings since March 2015, indicates he is from Saint John and was living inToronto.

RCMP announced Moulton'sTuesday morning arrest lateThursday afternoon. Hewas stopped while driving on the Trans-Canada Highwayat around 7:20 a.m., said Rogers-Marsh.

A search of the car led to the seizure of "a quantity" of what is believed to be cocaine, she said.

TheRCMPseized several other items, including a high-powered rifle with a silencer and a loaded handgun, on Thursday during the execution of search warrants at "several locations," said Rogers-Marsh.

Police started searching Moulton's Fredericton residence on Brunswick Street on Wednesday and have maintained a heavy presence at the downtown apartment building.

Searches have also been underway across the province. However, police will not identify where those locations are.

The other items seized include:

• Full-patch Hells Angels jacket.
• Hells Angels "support club" patches.
• A quantity of drugs.
• Drug paraphernalia.
• "Support81Maritimes" clothing.

Moultonwasconvicted of drug trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon in the Toronto area in 2008, court officials confirmed. He was sentenced to 64 months in prison.

The two charges he's facing are both indictable, which are more serious than summary offences.

They were laid against Moultonby a member of the RCMP'sfederal serious and organized crime unit at J Division in Fredericton.

"Outlaw motorcycle gangs are a national priority for the RCMP," Rogers-Marsh said on Thursday.

The joint-force investigation is continuing, she said.

It is being led by theRCMP,in partnership with the Canadian Border Services Agency and the Saint John, Fredericton, Kennebecasis Regional and Edmundstonpolice forces.

'RIP Ron'

Moulton's arrest comes on the heels of the homicide of Ronald Richard, a former member of the Bacchus motorcycle club nearMinto.

The body ofRichard, 50, was found on July 23 on a rural property in Hardwood Ridge.

RCMPsaid they do not believe the homicide was randombut have not provided any other details. An autopsy was to be performed, but no cause of death has been released.

Bacchus is a New Brunswick-based club affiliated with the Hells Angels.

Moulton was Facebookfriends with Richard.

"On my way to pay my respects to the fallen president of the capital city gatekeepers New Brunswick and get [greeted] with this," Moultonposted on July 28, along with a photograph of a police roadside check.

"RIP Ron."

Moulton also shared a post about a "Celebration of Life" being held for Richard in Devon on Saturday morning.

Richard was charged in December 2014 with possession of drugs, weapons and prohibited weapons.

He was convicted of possession of benzylpiperazine, a drug known as BZP, and possession of marijuana over 30 grams.