Former ATF agent Jay Dobyns, who infiltrated the Hells Angels motorcycle gang for nearly two years, has detailed the organization's strict rules regarding sex and interactions with women. Dobyns, now 61, went undercover as Jay 'Jaybird' Davis from 2001 to 2003, posing as a gun runner and debt collector in Arizona.
Hierarchy of Women in the Gang
In a video interview with Insider, Dobyns explained that women within the gang are categorized. Wives and girlfriends of members, known as 'old ladies,' are off-limits. 'You better not get caught trying to mess around with a member's wife or girlfriend, because there's a violent price to pay,' he said. However, other women may move from member to member without issue.
Operation Black Biscuit
Dobyns' infiltration was part of Operation Black Biscuit, launched after a deadly clash between the Hells Angels and their rivals, the Mongols. The operation involved staged drug transactions and a fake murder scene using blood and guts from a butcher shop. The Hells Angels, founded in Fontana, California, in 1948, now have over 100 chapters in 29 countries.
Strict Interaction Rules
Dobyns revealed other strict rules: members must remove sunglasses and gloves when greeting, and never touch another member's patch or slap them on the back. 'I made those mistakes and I was reprimanded for it, I was smacked for it on occasion,' he said. Members expelled on bad terms must surrender their vest, motorcycle, and even remove tattoos.
Crime and Indictments
Despite some members leading clean lifestyles, the investigation found involvement in murder, drug manufacturing and distribution, and firearms trafficking. The US Department of Justice reported that Operation Black Biscuit led to 55 indictments, including 16 high-ranking members facing charges of murder, racketeering, and drug trafficking. Half of the defendants plea-bargained, and five had charges dismissed.
Aftermath and Threats
After his identity was revealed, Dobyns and his family received death threats, and a murder contract was placed on him. In 2008, his family home was burned down while his wife and children slept inside; they survived unharmed. Dobyns said he 'betrayed' his family by prioritizing the investigation but continues to speak out about his experience.
