⏱ 2 min read
Gregory Simonds Jr., a 43-year-old member of the Pensacola Outlaws Motorcycle Club, has been sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for his role in a violent altercation involving explosives. On February 15, 2025, Simonds detonated an explosive device in the parking lot of Emerald Coast Harley Davidson in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, during a confrontation with members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The blast damaged a nearby Jimmy John’s restaurant and injured one of its employees.
Simonds was quickly identified and apprehended by law enforcement, who found four more explosive devices, two guns, narcotics, and an Outlaws Motorcycle Club vest in his vehicle. A subsequent search of his residence turned up additional explosive devices, materials, and equipment, revealing that Simonds was involved in the manufacture and sale of explosives.
The case was the result of a joint investigation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, and the US Attorney’s Office. The successful prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America, aimed at protecting communities from violent crime.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden praised the work of investigators, saying the case could have ended much differently due to the risks posed by Simonds’ use of explosives in a public place. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the commitment of law enforcement to holding perpetrators accountable for violent acts.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
