Three members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week to violent assaults targeting rival gang members, marking a major advance in the federal crackdown on organized motorcycle gang activity in Missouri and Kansas.
Christopher W. McGowen, 41, of Platte City, entered his plea on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. He admitted to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
Brandon S. Hodge, 26, of Springfield, followed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, pleading guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Arthur L. Reynolds III, 48, of Independence, became the third to plead guilty. His charges included one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
The three men were tied to several violent incidents:
May 30, 2022 – Grain Valley, MO
McGowen and other Pagan’s members, along with their support club, attacked a rival gang member at a local business. They used fists and an axe handle, leaving the victim injured.
September 3, 2022 – Topeka, KS
McGowen and associates traveled to a rival gang event with plans to carry out a revenge assault. They were armed with an axe handle and a firearm. Although a rival member was identified, internal disagreements stopped the attack, and the group left without incident.
September 17, 2022 – Blue Springs, MO
McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds, and other club members chased and forced a rival gang member off the road. They confronted him with firearms and at least one axe handle. The victim was shot seven times, sustaining injuries to his knee, thigh, arm, buttocks, and leg.
Evidence in court revealed that all three men received Pagan’s patches as rewards for their participation in the assaults.
A search of Reynolds’ home on May 11, 2023, uncovered seven firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, body armor, and several Pagan’s-related items like support shirts, patches, and organizational records.
Reynolds also had a prior felony conviction for aggravated robbery in Kansas in 2005 and served over five years in custody.
If convicted to the maximum extent of the law:
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McGowen and Reynolds each face life in federal prison without parole
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Hodge could receive up to 20 years in prison without parole
Final sentencing will occur after the United States Probation Office completes presentence investigations. The court will then determine penalties based on federal guidelines and statutory factors.
