A university professor suspected of leading a motorcycle gang and methamphetamine drug ring is wanted for arrest in California, authorities say.
Steve Kinzey, 43, believed to be the president of the local chapter of the Devils Diciples motorcycle club, has been the target of a 6-month narcotics and weapons trafficking investigation, sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said.
'Beyond disappointing'
Kinzey has been an associate professor of kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino for nearly 10 years. University president Albert K. Karnig said in a statement that the campus would assist in the investigation "to help assure that all the facts are accurate."
"If the allegations are indeed true, this is beyond disappointing," Karnig said.
Authorities said the probe stemmed from a federal undercover operation of another biker gang, the Mongols, in which Kinzey was identified as being involved in criminal activity.
During a raid at his Highland home last week, investigators seized more than a pound of methamphetamine, rifles, handguns, body armor, leather biker vests and other biker paraphernalia and evidence of his involvement with the Devils Diciples. Investigators believed that Kinzey received large amounts of methamphetamine from a supplier and distributed the drug to a network of dealers, Miller said.
Police also found an undisclosed amount of cash at the house and said all the guns recovered were unregistered, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"To have an associate professor who is a member of the Devils Diciples and allegedly dealing methamphetamine is quite alarming. I mean, it's unusual to say the least," Sheriff Rod Hoops said.
Girlfriend arrested
Kinzey's live-in girlfriend, 33-year-old Holly Robinson, and six others suspects were arrested on drug-related charges. They included Jeremy Disney, 30, of San Bernardino, who is suspected of supplying Kinzey with the drugs.
Robinson, who is believed to be a member of Devils Diciples, was arrested on suspicion of drug and weapon possession and participating in the drug ring. A call to the home she shares with Kinzey went unanswered.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Robinson was a 2005 graduate of California State University, San Bernardino.
Det. Jason Rosenbaum said that Robinson was Kinzey's business partner and helped him distribute methamphetamine to dealers in the Southern California communities of San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands and Mentone, The Times reported.
Authorities are searching for three other suspects.