Two more Pagans members plead guilty in West Norriton Wawa biker club confrontation that erupted in gunfire
Prosecutors say assault on rival motorcycle club members led to shooting that wounded six people, including bystanders
Two more members of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Club have pleaded guilty for their roles in the October 2025 confrontation at a Wawa parking lot that escalated into gunfire and left six people wounded, including two uninvolved bystanders.
George Hripto Jr., 50, of Bridgeport, and Manuel “Machete” Baez-Santos, 35, of Norristown, each entered guilty pleas in recent days before Montgomery County Judge Risa Vetri Ferman in connection with the Oct. 17, 2025 altercation outside the convenience store at 2544 W. Main St., according to The Mercury.
Authorities alleged the confrontation began around 9:12 p.m. after multiple Pagans members encountered two members of the rival Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Gang at the gas pumps.
According to prosecutors, the Pagans viewed Montgomery County as their territory and believed the rival club should not have been present without permission.
Hripto pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor charges of simple assault and conspiracy to commit simple assault. He was sentenced to time served to 23 months in jail, followed by 23 months of consecutive probation. Court records indicated Hripto had already spent 151 days in jail following his Oct. 30 arrest.
Baez-Santos pleaded guilty Thursday to felony aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit simple assault. Ferman sentenced him to 11½ to 23 months in the county jail followed by three years of probation. He received credit for 156 days already served.
Both men were ordered to have no contact with victims or witnesses and to stay away from the West Norriton Wawa.
Assistant District Attorney Libby Ann Hemler told the court the defendants admitted they understood confrontations with rival outlaw motorcycle gangs could become violent.
Prosecutors said Hripto acknowledged he rode with other Pagans into the Wawa parking lot knowing members intended to confront and assault the Unknown Bikers. While Hripto did not physically attack anyone, authorities said he admitted acting as backup support if fellow Pagans needed assistance during the altercation.
Baez-Santos admitted he personally participated in the physical assault, according to prosecutors.
“He admitted that there was an underlying agreement that if they were to see a rival biker gang in their territory, they would approach them and that it could turn violent,” Hemler said during Baez-Santos’ plea hearing, according to The Mercury.
Defense attorney Brendan Campbell argued Baez-Santos did not fire any shots during the confrontation but acknowledged his client ultimately accepted responsibility for participating in the assault that preceded the gunfire.
Investigators said the violence escalated after several Pagans members surrounded and attacked the two Unknown Bikers members near the gas pumps. Authorities alleged many of the bikers carried firearms or knives during the encounter.
During earlier hearings, Montgomery County prosecutors argued surveillance footage showed the Pagans intentionally bypassed the Wawa’s primary entrance before entering through another access point and coordinating around the rival bikers.
“Through review of various video sources, the Pagans bypassed the initial entrance to the Wawa and then entered a secondary entrance and immediately worked in tandem surrounding the two members of the Unknown Bikers Gang,” Montgomery County Detective David Holtzman and West Norriton Detective Robert Scotti alleged in the arrest affidavit.
Gunfire erupted moments later.
A male bystander pumping air into his tires suffered a gunshot wound to the face below his eye, while a female bystander standing near the store entrance was shot in the torso, according to testimony presented during earlier proceedings.
Authorities additionally said three Pagans members — George Cwienk III, Justin “Junkyard” Ray Noll and Joel “Chihuahua” Hernandez-Martinez — were wounded, along with one member of the Unknown Bikers.
Defense attorneys for the Pagans have repeatedly pointed to evidence showing 13 of the 14 cartridge casings recovered at the scene were allegedly tied to firearms used by the Unknown Bikers members, who have not been criminally charged. Defense lawyers argued the rival bikers were responsible for the shooting injuries.
Prosecutors, however, maintain the Unknown Bikers acted in self-defense after being ambushed.
Hemler and co-prosecutor Bradley Walter Deckel have argued none of the shootings would have occurred if the Pagans had not initiated the attack in a crowded public parking lot.
Authorities originally charged nine Pagans members in connection with the incident.
Earlier this year, Ferman dismissed all charges against Erik Dixon, 33, of Upper Merion, and Luke Clayton Higgins, 29, of Berks County, after defense attorneys argued prosecutors failed to sufficiently establish their roles in the incident.
Hripto and Baez-Santos join Jason William Lawless, 46, of Bridgeport, as defendants who have now resolved their cases through guilty pleas.
Four remaining defendants — George T. Cwienk III, Erik P. Rosenberger, Hernandez-Martinez and Noll — are still scheduled for trial beginning May 18 on assault-related charges tied to the confrontation.
The investigation involved the Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s Violent Crime Unit, the county’s Gun Violence Reduction Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Gun Violence Task Force and several local police departments.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records and information provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
