Cal State Professor Accused of Leading Motorcycle Gang

A six-month investigation by the San Bernardino County Gang Impact Team led to the discovery of a methamphetamine ring led by a teacher at Cal State San Bernardino, who is also a member of a motorcycle gang.

Members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino city police and the FBI teamed up in the investigation, which originally targeted members of Outlaw Motor Cycle Clubs in the county, officials said in a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release.

The investigation found that Steve Kinzey, 43, of Highland, a professor of kinesology at Cal State San Bernardino -- was also the president of the Devils Diciples Outlaw Motorcycle Gang -- was the ringleader in a series of illicit activities.

An undercover operation targeted the Kinzey and the gang, leading to the serving of search warrant Aug. 26 at Kinzey's home in the East Highland Ranch neighborhood.

Inside the home, officers found more than a pound of methamphetamine, several firearms and evidence of his involvement with the Devils Diciples. Also at the home, police found and arrested Kinzey's business partner, Holly Robinson, 33, of Highland.

Robinson was arrested and charges are pending, including possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of firearms accompanied with methamphetamine, participating in the conspiracy to sell and deliver narcotics.

Kinzey is still at large, and there is a warrant out for his arrest.

Several other members of the gang were identified and charged during the course of the investigation.

Eric Cortez, 31, and his girlfriend Chelsa Johnson, 34, of Redlands, were allegedly working for Kinzey and Robinson selling large amounts of the drug. Cortez is in the Central Detention Facility awaiting court appearances on numerous counts, held on $300,000 bail. There is no jail record for Johnson.

Jeremy Disney, 30, of San Bernardino, was identified as a drug supplier for Kinzey, according to police. Disney is currently out on bail.

Police identified Hans Preszler, 51, of San Bernardino; Edward Freer, 43, of Helendale; and Christopher Rikerd, 37, of Redlands, as mid-level dealers working for Kinzey. Preszler is out on bail, while Rikerd and Freer are being held in the Central Detention Facility awaiting hearings. Rikerd is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail, while Freer's bail has been set at $150,000.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for three others identified as street-level dealers. They are Elaine Flores, 35, of Redlands; Stephanie Padilla, 33, of Redlands; and Wendi Witherell, 34, of Mentone.

Anyone with information about the operation should contact the Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division at (909) 890-4840.