KC Reporter

Seven area residents, including the leader and several members of the Galloping Goose Motorcycle Club, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in an ongoing criminal enterprise involving acts of violence, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms.

Tonka Way Con Ponder, 53, and his wife, Carolynn L. Ponder, 47, both of Preston, Mo., and Tretch Lucius Lawrence (also known as “Travis Dewain Shankle”), 48; Keith Dewayne Nolen Jr. (also known as “Seg”), 34; Paul Leon Gardner, 52; Daniel Scot Kurtzenborn, 41; and Robert Russell Warren (also known as “Russ”), 54, were charged in a 25-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Tuesday, June 18.

The indictment was unsealed today following the arrests of six defendants (excluding Warren). Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen, and Kurtzeborn remain detained in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, June 25. Gardner and Carolynn Ponder were released on bond.

The federal indictment alleges that Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen, Gardner and Kurtzeborn are members of the Lake of the Ozarks chapter of the Galloping Goose outlaw motorcycle gang. Members allegedly engaged in acts of violence such as assault, attempted robbery and extortion. According to the indictment, Tonka Ponder led the local chapter which has a clubhouse in Camdenton, Mo.

Tonka Ponder is charged with two counts of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering and two counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He allegedly shot two persons resulting in serious physical injury on July 15, 2021. Kurtzeborn faces one count each for committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm during an alleged assault attempt on July 15.

Tonka Ponder and Lawrence face one count each for attempted extortion from July 1 to July 15 last year. The indictment alleges they attempted to obtain property from the Iron Celtics Motorcycle Association through threats.

Additionally charged are Tonka Ponder with five counts related to methamphetamine distribution from August to October last year across Camden and Miller Counties. Charges include conspiracy participation alongside Carolynn Ponder and Warren. Both Tonka and Carolynn face charges for using cell phones to facilitate this conspiracy.

Kurtzeborn and Nolen are each charged with one count for being felons in possession of firearms on separate occasions: Kurtzeborn with possessing a Taurus .357-caliber revolver on July 15 last year while Nolen allegedly possessed a Taurus handgun this August.

The charges contained within this indictment remain accusations until evidence is presented before a federal trial jury tasked with determining guilt or innocence.

This case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron M. Maness and Cecily L. Hicks following investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives along with others listed within OCDETF’s multi-agency collaborative framework aimed at disrupting high-level criminal organizations nationwide.