KANSAS CITY, MO. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Missouri, Western), published as received.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two members of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs were charged by criminal complaint after they were stopped in Harrisonville, Mo. while armed with firearms.

Marvin Paup, aka “Bandido Marv,” 52 and Joseph McCollum, 63, were charged in a two-count criminal complaint. Both individuals are charged with being felons in possession of a firearm.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, a Harrisonville police officer observed motorcycles which were traveling together.  The officer observed Paup pull out from a stop sign and cut off a vehicle. The vehicle had to slam on its brakes to avoid colliding with Paup. The officer continued to follow the motorcycles and observed Paup cross the center line and then conducted a traffic stop of the motorcycles.

During the stop, both Paup and McCollum stated they were carrying firearms inside their “cuts” (leather vests). Paup’s cut identified him as the vice president of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, El Dorado, Kan. Chapter. McCollum’s cut identified him as the vice president of the Avispon Motorcycle Club, El Dorado chapter. Both Paup and McCollum were interviewed and admitted to possessing their respective firearms. Both Paup and McCollum were previously convicted of felony offenses.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.

The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case was investigated by the Harrisonville, Missouri Police Department and the Independence, Missouri Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.