Pensacola Member of Outlaws Motorcycle Club Pleads Guilty to Arson Involving Explosives and Personal Injury

Pensacola man Gregory Simonds Jr. pleads guilty to federal arson charges after detonating an explosive during a rival biker gang fight in Fort Walton Beach.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 11:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida

Guilty Plea Following Fort Walton Beach Explosive Incident

A member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club has admitted to federal charges following a violent confrontation that resulted in personal injury and property damage. Gregory E. Simonds Jr. pleaded guilty to arson by means of an explosive causing personal injury, a charge announced by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin. The plea marks a significant development in a case that drew federal attention due to the defendant's affiliation with a transnational criminal organization and the hazardous nature of the weapons involved in the public dispute.

Chronology of the Harley Davidson Parking Lot Altercation

The charges stem from a February 15, 2025, incident on Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. According to court documents, Simonds was involved in a confrontation with members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club in the parking lot of Emerald Coast Harley Davidson. During the dispute, Simonds detonated an explosive device. The force of the blast caused significant damage to an adjacent Jimmy John’s restaurant and resulted in injuries to one of the establishment’s employees. Although Simonds fled the scene immediately after the explosion, law enforcement identified and apprehended him shortly thereafter.

Discovery of Arsenals and Manufacturing Equipment

A search of the defendant's vehicle and residence revealed a significant cache of illegal items. At the time of his arrest, officers recovered four additional explosive devices, two firearms, narcotics, and an Outlaws Motorcycle Club vest. Subsequent federal searches of Simonds’s Pensacola home uncovered further explosives, along with specialized equipment and materials used for the manufacture and sale of destructive devices. These findings suggest that the defendant was not only utilizing explosives for personal disputes but was actively engaged in their production.