U.S. club not tied to local Fallen Saints

SASKATOON — John Gallagher calls himself a Fallen Saint. He wears a back patch and rides a motorcycle. That is where the similarities between his group and the motorcycle club operating out of Saskatchewan end, he says.

Gallagher, the national president of the Fallen Saints Motorcycle Club in the U.S., said he was “disturbed” to learn that a group of alleged criminals in Saskatchewan were using his club’s name. His club, he said, was created to pay tribute to fallen soldiers and provide a sense of “brotherhood” for war veterans — not to commit crimes.

“We are law abiding citizens,” Gallagher said from his home in Kentucky.

“It is nothing at all similar to the Fallen Saints you got up in Canada.”

A police investigation and raids in Saskatchewan and Alberta last week targeted two motorcycle clubs — the Fallen Saints and the Hells Angels.

At least 11 alleged members of the Fallen Saints face a host of charges ranging from assault to drugs and weapons trafficking.

Police have described the Fallen Saints in Saskatoon as a “puppet club” working for the notorious Hells Angels.

Gallagher said his club and the various chapters scattered throughout the U.S are set up to help serviceman returning from duty. Most members are war veterans who recently returned from tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.

He said his club does not at all associate with the Hells Angels or any other outlaw motorcycle club.

Outlaw clubs like the Hells Angels are often referred to as the “one per cent” of motorcycle enthusiasts. Gallagher said his club is just the opposite.

“We are in the 99 per cent group,” he said. “We are not a gang. We are a motorcycle club, an MC. I just wanted that clarified. They have no association with us.”

Gallagher’s claim could not be verified by experts, but a search for media reports of any illegal activity by Fallen Saints members operating south of the border turned up nothing.

The back patches of the two clubs are also distinct. The American version features a reaper with a fallen soldier memorial in the back of it, while the Saskatchewan version is a demonic figure with angel wings.

Many of the 14 people arrested last week in the initial sweep have been let out on bail, including the alleged leader of the Fallen Saints in Saskatoon, Mark Nowakowski.

After his client was released on $10,000 bail Friday, Nick Stooshinoff, Nowakowski’s lawyer, said his client is an upstanding businessman. Nowakowski was featured in an issue of a local magazine, Fine Lifestyles, in which he was identified as the owner of No Mow Landscaping, a company specializing in artificial turf.

Nowakowski is charged with aggravated assault. Police have said more charges could be pending. He is due back in court next month.

Meanwhile, police said the investigation into the bikers continues. At least four unnamed people were arrested in Alberta in connection with the case.

Two other people arrested in the initial sweep are due back in court today.