Christian Biker Gang Reality Series on A&E May Get Pulled After Arrests for Attempted Murder

Christian bikers charged with attempted murder? Now I've heard it all.

Daily Pilot:

Brass knuckles, custom knives and handguns and rifles with scopes were among the hundreds of items police had on display when they released the names of the dozen men arrested during last week’s raids. Costa Mesa and Newport Beach SWAT teams raided two Costa Mesa homes Aug. 6 and arrested John Lloyd, 41, Brian Heslington, 35 and Scott Guinn, 23. Guinn and Heslington were booked on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance. Lloyd was booked on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded firearm as a gang member.

Police say the men, as part of the Hells Angels, were part of a huge brawl at Blackie’s By The Sea with members of the Set Free Soldiers, a biker group calling itself a Christian ministry. The brawl left two Hells Angels members stabbed and one member of the Set Free Soldiers with a head injury after a billiard ball was smashed into the back of his head. Many of those arrested appeared in court Friday and have postponed their arraignments to a later date.

Victoria Times Colonist:

A&E prides itself on its gritty, street-level reality shows. Now, the cable channel is involved with an outfit that might be too hardcore even for the home of Intervention and Dog the Bounty Hunter.

The network recently shot a pilot for a new series with the controversial Christian motorcycle gang Set Free Soldiers, a group whose leader was arrested in Orange County this week, along with six members, on suspicion of attempted murder.

The arrests stem from a July 27 double stabbing that occurred during a bar fight in Newport Beach between the Anaheim-based group and members of the Hells Angels.

James Hibberd in the Reporter:

An A&E spokesperson said the pilot, with the working title of "Saints and Sinners," was shot a couple months ago and that the network doesn't believe that any of the bikers involved in the show were among those who were arrested.

Sources said "Saints" centers around a SFS halfway house where bikers reform alcoholics and drug addicts. A&E had hoped the project would make a proper companion for tough-love shows such as "Intervention" and "Dog."

But not to worry, there are actually two fictional biker stories coming to TV, the first, FX's Sons of Anarchy, premieres September 3 at 10. After the jump, a preview clip.

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