Head of Rhode Island Hells Angels appears in court on assault charge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The head of the Rhode Island chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club faced charges in connection to a shooting that occurred outside the organization’s club in Providence, appearing in court on Thursday.

Joseph Lancia, 28, of Smithfield, was arrested at the clubhouse on 161 Messer St. on Wednesday without incident.

State police detectives were investigating a reported felony assault after a driver said his vehicle was hit with a single bullet while passing by the motorcycle club’s headquarters. The bullet struck the passenger’s side of the car and no one was injured, police said.

Later on Wednesday, police used a battering ram to knock down the door after obtaining a search warrant for the clubhouse.

During the search, authorities apprehended 45-year-old Howard J. Pollitt and 25-year-old Amber E. Gill on obstruction and resisting arrest charges.

Police said they also found three firearms and assorted ammunition during the search.

Police said they also found three firearms and assorted ammunition during the search.

Lancia was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm when committing a crime, firing in a compact area, and a firearm license violation.

Lancia was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm when committing a crime, firing in a compact area, and a firearm license violation.

Rhode Island State Police Maj. Timothy Sanzi said the alleged daytime shooting occurred next to an elementary school in the city’s west end.

William Dimitri, who is Lancia’s attorney, told the court his client is married, has a child, and has had minimal run-ins with police, only a misdemeanor from six or seven years ago.

Lancia posted bail, which was set at $100,000 with surety.

A man wearing a Hells Angels shirt was seen by a reporter walking into an adjacent courtroom with a thick handful of cash.

Both Gill and Pollitt were released on personal recognizance.

The news conference can be viewed below: