Former Hells Angels chapter president denied release from jail to the East Bay

Hells Angel member Raymond Foakes, right, embraces another member in 2008 during the annual Poker Run and BBQ at Stafford Lake in Novato. Foakes has been indicted in a federal racketeering investigation. (Special to the IJ/Douglas Zimmerman)

Judge denied motion after half-hour hearing

SAN FRANCISCO — A prominent Hells Angel member will remain in jail while awaiting trial on racketeering charges.

In a one-page order, U.S. District Judge Joseph Spero denied a motion asking for Raymond “Ray Ray” Foakes (link is external) to be released to Oakley while he awaits trial. Foakes wanted to live in the rural Contra Costa County city and work at a mechanic shop in Oakland, and said he would submit to house arrest and an ankle monitor.

The motion was denied Friday, after a 30-minute hearing, according to court records.
Foakes was one of 11 people indicted in November 2017, after an FBI investigation that focused on the Sonoma Hells Angels. Foakes is a former president of the Hells Angels’ Sonoma chapter.

The charges include an alleged murder that took place at the Fresno Hells Angels clubhouse in 2014 involving four of the defendants. Foakes was charged with relatively lesser offenses: participating in an assault and attempting to intimidate a witness in a criminal investigation from coming forward.

Foakes’ attorney argued that his client did not pose a danger nor a flight risk, and that his release from jail was warranted because the case is at least several months away from reaching its end.

Federal prosecutors argued that Foakes did pose a danger to society, citing his criminal history, which includes violence.


USA - BNN.

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