Mark Leroy Dencklau, Chad Leroy Erickson, Murder, Oregon 2021

PORTLAND, Ore.—In a brutal display of organized violence, two members of the Gypsy Joker Outlaw Motorcycle Club (GJOMC) have been sentenced to life in federal prison for kidnapping, torturing, and murdering a former club member.

Mark Leroy Dencklau, 61, of Woodburn, Oregon, and Chad Leroy Erickson, 51, of Rainier, Oregon, received the life sentences after being convicted at trial in December 2021 of murder in aid of racketeering; kidnapping in aid of racketeering, resulting in death; kidnapping resulting in death; and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, resulting in death. Additionally, Dencklau was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy.

"Mark Dencklau and Chad Erickson will rightfully serve the rest of their lives in federal prison. These men prided themselves in using violence to intimidate others and increase their power and influence among club members and rivals," said Scott Erik Asphaug, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The GJOMC is a hierarchical criminal organization wherein members and associates maintain their position and status in the organization by participating in, directly or indirectly, various acts of violent racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and witness tampering.

From 2003 until his arrest, Dencklau served as the president of the club’s Portland chapter. The GJOMC also oversaw several support clubs in Oregon and Washington, including the Road Brothers Northwest Motorcycle Club, Solutions Motorcycle Club, Northwest Veterans Motorcycle Club, High-Side Riders, and the Freedom Fellowship Motorcycle Club.

The life sentences come after a thorough investigation and years of law enforcement efforts. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon praised the law enforcement agencies that participated in bringing these men to justice and exposing the Gypsy Jokers as the ruthless, violent gang they are.

The GJOMC has international chapters in Germany, Australia, and Norway, and has been active in several states, including Oregon and Washington, since the 1980s.

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