24. Under And Alone

Under and Alone : The True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America's Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang - William Queen

This is a true story written by an ATF agent who went undercover inside the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang. This gang was the most violent of all the motorcycle gangs in the country. William Queen spent two and a half years working his way into the gang, gathering evidence, and living as a biker dude. He went from a hang-around to a prospect to a fully Patched member of the gang. He ended up being an officer and held the position of Treasurer. His sacrifices to get these criminals off the streets were well beyond any call of duty.

I was amazed as I read this book. The conflicts within this man were tremendous. He wants to make a case against these guys, but can not do the things they would normally do. How can he be a Federal agent and commit a crime at the same time? How could he not commit a crime and still not draw the suspicions of the gang members? If they even thought he was a cop they would kill him in a heartbeat.

Agent Queen became Billy St John and took on a whole new life. He was separated from his family. He was separated from his friends. His entire life was turned upside down. He was hanging around with psychopaths and deviates all the time. The thoughts he conveyed in this book made me feel for him and understand his thinking and internal turmoil.

The gang was called the Mongols. They were arch enemies with the Hells Angels and had a war with them in the 60’s. Billy went undercover in 1998 and finished his work in 2000. During that time the tension between the two gangs ramped up and they antagonized and confronted each other numerous times. The Mongols were some very bad dudes. The chapter Billy joined was from the San Fernando Valley in California. Just over the hill from downtown Los Angeles.

The part that really touched me was when his mother died. Billy went away for a week or so and attended the funeral in North Carolina. Upon his return he went back to work. None of his colleagues at the ATF even mentioned his mother’s death. He felt like he was just a “badge number” to them. Then he went back to the Mongols. One by one they gave their condolences, embraced him, and told him they loved him. Billy St John/ William Queen had a very hard time with this reality. I can imagine the conflict within him.

The stories of the things being done by the Mongols and how he maneuvered his way through the minefields were outstanding. I was left wanting more. I was left wishing I was able to sit down and just hear this man tell these stories and ask questions.

This was an awesome story about a man who has more balls than anyone I have known in my life.