Court files: Biker fight was over membership

A fight between members of the Hells Angels and Set Free Soldiers biker gangs in a Newport Beach bar last month may have started because Set Free Solders members were claiming to be associated with the Hells Angels, according to court documents unsealed Thursday.

An affidavit made public Monday alleges that John Phillip Loyd, 41, a high-ranking member of the Orange County chapter of the Hells Angels, confronted Set Free Soldiers leader Phillip Aguilar, 60, in the Newport Beach bar Blackie’s By The Sea on July 27 about Aguilar’s and his “brothers’” claiming association with the Hells Angels. The bar is only blocks away from the tattoo parlor where Loyd works.

When Loyd walked in with four Hells Angels behind him, Aguilar and four other Set Free Soldiers were inside waiting, police reported. Nine more Set Free Soldiers followed the Hells Angels members and surrounded them, leading police to believe it was an ambush on the five Hells Angels, according to the affidavit filed with the search warrant request.

The document describes a chaotic fight that erupted after one punch, with men being thrown onto pool tables, into booths and two Hells Angels members getting stabbed.

Jose Quinones, 42, is accused of stabbing two Hells Angels members, and trying to slash at least one of them across the neck, according to police. One Set Free Soldiers member had a billiard ball smashed into his head, leaving a trail of blood to the bar’s exit, according to the affidavit.

Immediately after the brawl, at least one Set Free Soldiers member worried about what the fight could lead to, police reported.

Glenn Schoeman, 56, who faces charges related to the fracas, told police the brawl means Set Free Soldiers members have been “green lighted” by the Hells Angels.

Green lighted means all Hells Angels members have orders to kill any Set Free Soldiers they see displaying their group’s insignia, police reported.

Eight men face charges related to the fight with a ninth man, Scott Guinn of Costa Mesa, considered a fugitive, prosecutors said. Most were arrested during a morning raid by several SWAT teams throughout the county. All are scheduled to be arraigned in the coming weeks.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].