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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

'Agent 22' was divided man

Hells Angels associate collected key info for cops before big sting

By: Mike McIntyre

5/12/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 11

He was a trusted associate of the Hells Angels, tasked with overseeing their puppet club's substantial profits.

But the lure of even greener pastures was enough to convince Zig Zag gang member Michael Satsatin to turn his back on the gang and accept a dangerous job as a secret police snitch.

Court documents obtained by the Free Press on Friday reveal Satsatin as the mysterious "Agent 22" -- the key figure in a 13-month undercover sting operation that resulted in 34 arrests this week.

Satsatin, 34, was paid $450,000 plus expenses for his work in Project DIVIDE, which police say was one of the biggest of its kind in Manitoba history.

"The agent was a full-patch member of the Zig Zag Crew, who purchased controlled substances and firearms from the targets of Project DIVIDE and was suited with a recording device during regular Zig Zag Crew meetings, using his position inside that organized crime group to facilitate the investigation," police wrote in an affidavit filed in court.

Satsatin's involvement in the case is now known by all the accused and his name is on the public record and not protected by any court orders. He is now in witness protection and has been relocated under a new identity. The Free Press is not publishing any photos of Satsatin.

Police don't disclose exactly how they secured Satsatin's services for Project DIVIDE, but say he went through an "appraisal" process before being accepted. Satsatin was given a "cover story" that included him pretending to sell drugs to students at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg.

Satsatin has been an associate of the Zig Zag Crew since 2000, according to the court documents. The Zig Zag serve as a "farm team" to the Hells Angels, supplying them with future prospects and doing a lot of their dirty work. Police say every Zig Zag member is required to pay $1,000 each month to the Hells Angels, plus an additional $150 a month towards their monthly debt to the gang.

Satsatin became a full-patch Zig Zag Crew member in February 2007 after being "sanctioned" by Hells Angels member Sean Wolfe, who ended up being one of the prime targets of the police sting operation. Satsatin served as secretary-treasurer of the Zig Zag Crew throughout the investigation and allowed police incredible access to the inner workings of the gang.

He wore a wiretap during 37 official gang meetings in which various topics were discussed, including ongoing feuds with the Manitoba Warriors street gang, possible expansion of the Zig Zag Crew to British Columbia and even speculation on which members could be working as police informants.

Police also had a technical front-row seat as membership dues were collected, debts were paid and drug and weapons deals were arranged and later captured on audio and video surveillance devices. Satsatin was involved in about 36 monitored transactions during the operation for drugs including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana, according to court documents.

Police also learned of a new Hells Angels policy, implemented in late 2008, to try beefing up their depleted ranks. Two prior sting operations in 2006 and 2007 had left the Manitoba Hells Angels dangerously close to the minimum six members required to maintain chapter status.

"As a result of them wanting individuals to successfully work their way to full membership, the Manitoba Hells Angels have changed the responsibilities of their prospects," police wrote in their affidavit.

"The current prospects are now living a cleaner lifestyle to avoid prosecution. They now are only responsible for 'bitch work' such as mowing the grass at the clubhouse or carrying groceries. Prospect members are not being called upon for committing 'dirty' criminal activities, as this is what the Zig Zag Crew is for."

Police also learned about the paranoia that runs rampant within the Hells Angels and Zig Zag Crew and requires them to always have members stationed outside of meetings on the lookout for police. Police also videotaped members and associates using various hand signals to communicate words like gun, cocaine and ecstasy.

Satsatin had no previous criminal record at the time he began working for the police operation in November 2008, according to court documents. However, he openly admitted to police he regularly sold drugs as part of his gang involvement.

www.mikeoncrime.com

Insights into gang gained in probe

THE 13-month sting gave police more insight into the outlaw gang operations.

They learned of a new Hells Angels policy, implemented in late 2008, to try beefing up their depleted ranks. Two prior sting operations in 2006 and 2007 had left the Manitoba Hells Angels dangerously close to the minimum six members required to maintain chapter status.

"The current prospects are now living a cleaner lifestyle to avoid prosecution...," police wrote in their affidavit. "Prospect members are not being called upon for committing 'dirty' criminal activities, as this is what the Zig Zag Crew is for."

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 5, 2009 A3

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11 Comments

Posted by: slamb

December 6, 2009 at 2:47 PM

Haha I totally agree with 'fromthecore'.
And as for those saying the informant should be arrested...Haven't you guys ever heard of immunity??

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Posted by: deterrence

December 6, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Kudos to the police services who worked on this operation. Keep up the good work guys and gals. Now it is up to the courts to do the work they need to do to bring back some deterrence into the system. I wish Judge Issac Rice was still on the bench. He was fair-minded but no one's fool. He had a three strikes and you are out policy and criminals knew that he kept his word.
Deterrence

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Posted by: riskybusiness76

December 6, 2009 at 12:28 PM

to cadillac and hammer of justice,

the informant broke laws but, what kind of informant, who already lives the remainder of his life in fear, will infiltrate, if he runs the risk of going to jail? And, what is more advantageous to the cops; satsatin on the streets or in jail? Seems obvious...

Your comments are illogical to the point of rhetoric, I think your bias in favor of ZZC and HA or against WPD, is what has been emphasized.

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Posted by: forwardthinking

December 6, 2009 at 12:09 PM

I find it completely irresponsable that his name would be published and released to the public. In the connected world we live in, unless he was sent to Somalia or Afghanistan he could very easily be found...

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Posted by: Wouldn'tyoulovetoknow

December 6, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Cadillac — gangs like HA, Zig Zag and MW do NOTHING to make our city a better place — more people should "snitch" to get them off our streets. People with the "stop snitchin'" mentality are pathetic and part of the problem.

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Posted by: B.

December 6, 2009 at 7:39 AM

"Yes the Informant should be arrested and put in with everyone he Snitched on... Stupid Rat!!!"

What's the matter "Cadillac"? [edited]

I'm just so glad that our wonderful, brave, intelligent, Police Officers did such a fantastic job in getting more of these drug-dealing idiots & morons behind bars! APPLAUSE!

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Posted by: Rob menard

December 6, 2009 at 4:09 AM

The police are not there to help people despite what they say, I as a lawiabiding citizen have been treated like dirt by our police, and I have had them STEAL personal property from me and when I protested they threatened me with arrest, accused me of being on drugs and honestly talked to me like I was a dirt bag. I also had them do an illegal search of my vehicle (at a different time) Meanwhile I have a younger brother who is a RCMP officer, I have never been in trouble with the law, and I have no criminal record. Honestly I've been back in Winnipeg since 2007, and the police have done NOTHING to make me feel any type of sympathy for them unlike the police in Toronto who happened to be respectful and helpful. All our police do is screw around and harass people and once in a while do something big to try and score brownie points. Total corruption at it's worst!!!