Case Against Iron Range Hells Angels at Risk

Government Misconduct, and Law Enforcement Connections to Hells Angels President leave questions

Part 1:

EVELETH, Minn. – Government misconduct could jeopardize a 2023 kidnapping and sexual assault case, against members of the Iron Range Hells Angels. 

A member of the Hells Angels, Paul Debelak, is still facing charges including 1st-degree sexual assault, and kidnapping, after a judge denied a motion by his attorney to dismiss the case, on Tuesday. 

Court records show that the other defendants have also filed nearly identical motions for dismissal, which not only call into question the state’s narrative of the case but their conduct while pursuing it. 

Among the most egregious complaints, are accusations that Minnesota BCA special agents reviewed the attorney-client communications of at least one of the defendants while in custody. Agents are then alleged to have passed information from these privileged jail texts/calls to Assistant County Prosecutor Christopher Florey. 

Court documents show that Florey immediately reported the incident to the defense and told the agents to stop reviewing privileged communications. 

During the omnibus hearing for Debelak, Tuesday, at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Virginia, his attorney referenced an October 4th letter by Florey, to the defense. The letter summarizes a series of phone calls between him and Gilbert Chief of Police Ty Techar.

Techar told Florey that he was approached by Minnesota BCA Special Agent Skorczewski several months ago, who requested Gilbert Police’s help in monitoring jail calls and texts for this case. According to the letter, the BCA agent told Techar the request was, “Due to a conflict with Eveleth PD.”

Florey’s summary indicates that at least one Gilbert officer had been monitoring privileged jail communications. Techar is told by Florey that the department should stop reviewing those calls and texts. 

During the last call between the two, Florey wrote that Techar commented on “Special Agent Skorczewski going off the deep end.” When asked to elaborate, Techar stated that Skorczewski had been taking time off, and believed it was due to him being “stressed” and “overworked.”

Florey also wrote that Techar indicated that the “review of jail text/calls, in this case, might be more widespread,” which may cause issues with this case and others. The letter ends with, “Chief Techar indicated something to the effect of hearing the case was falling apart.” 

It’s not clear from the letter what the “conflict” is with Eveleth Police, referenced by Special Agent Skorczewski. However, FOX21’s investigation into the ongoing court cases has uncovered a clear connection between Eveleth Police Officer Anthony Goulet, and the President of the Iron Range Hells Angels, Jerand French. 

Part 2:

In the fall of 2022, Officer Goulet, a 12-year veteran of the force at the time, wrote letters of recommendation, for French, as he attempted to get his firearm rights reinstated. French, a felon who is barred from possessing firearms, was found guilty of a 2004 theft of a gun store in Ely. French later admitted he planned to take the stolen firearms to Wisconsin and sell them. 

Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College Criminal Justice/Peace Officer Program Coordinator, and former Duluth Police Chief, Mike Tusken, called the letters concerning. “When they (officers) take an oath of office and that oath, it’s not only just their behaviors that they do on duty,” Tusken said, “but also is related to their behaviors off duty.” 

The Eveleth City Council accepted a “Separation of Employment,” letter from Goulet, during a one-minute special meeting on August 27. We have attempted to reach the council and Police Chief Jesse Linde for comment but have not received a response.