In a recent case of violence that shocked the local community, six men were arrested in connection with a brutal beating at Pikes Pub in Allen County.
The incident, which occurred on May 30, went viral after a disturbing video surfaced showing several men in Outlaws Motorcycle Club gear attacking a Black man, James Simmons, with racial slurs heard in the background. The arrests were made within a day of warrants being issued.
The Incident at Pikes Pub
The attack occurred at Pikes Pub, located just outside Fort Wayne city limits. In the video, several white men, all allegedly associated with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, were seen assaulting Simmons, while racial slurs were heard in the background. This led many to believe the beating was a hate crime, prompting widespread public outrage.
The Arrests and Charges
The men arrested include Justin Wert, Jerrad Wade Impton, Douglas Robert Zuber, Ryan Minick, Christopher Yoho, and Kent Adamonis. Court documents reveal that the men were all seen wearing Outlaws gear at the bar that night, and their roles in the assault have been detailed in the charges against them.
Justin Wert, a 41-year-old from Churubusco, was the first to be arrested. He faces charges of criminal recklessness, strangulation, and battery resulting in serious injury. According to court documents, Wert is accused of throwing the first punch at Simmons and placing him in a headlock during the attack. Wert was arrested in Lima, Ohio, after a Crime Stoppers tip led to his identification.
Jerrad Wade Impton, 52, is accused of punching Simmons in the back of the head, starting the physical assault. He faces charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
Douglas Robert Zuber, 66, was arrested on charges of battery and criminal recklessness. Zuber is also identified as the boyfriend of the bar’s owner. He allegedly shoved Simmons and yelled racial slurs during the attack. Zuber claimed that Simmons had been bothering him about shutting down the bar for a private party, but witnesses contradicted this claim, stating Simmons had always paid his tab and that the issue was not about payment.
Ryan Minick is accused of blocking Simmons’ path before the assault began and later joining in by throwing punches during the attack.
Christopher Yoho allegedly grabbed Simmons from behind, ripping off his safety vest, and even threw a chair at him during the attack.
Kent Adamonis is accused of punching and kicking Simmons while he was on the ground, although charges against him were later dismissed.
Community Response and Legal Actions
The video of the attack quickly went viral, sparking protests and rallies in the community. A petition calling for justice for Simmons has gathered over 6,000 signatures. Local officials, including Fort Wayne’s mayor and City Council members, have addressed the issue, with Councilwoman Michelle Chambers calling for a review of the practices and licensing at Pikes Pub. State Representative Phil GiaQuinta has also called for stronger hate crime laws in Indiana.
Simmons, who has been vocal about his intention to press charges, has received support from the community as the investigation progresses. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that the FBI is involved in the investigation, and multiple local law enforcement agencies have contributed to the swift arrests.
Investigations and Next Steps
The investigation is still ongoing, with law enforcement agencies across several counties involved. The FBI, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and other local departments are working together to ensure justice is served. The original video of the attack has been preserved as evidence, and investigators are calling on anyone with additional information or footage to come forward.
Sheriff Troy Hershberger praised the cooperation among agencies, stating, “This case shows how law enforcement agencies working together can achieve fast and effective results.”
The six suspects are currently facing a range of serious charges, and the legal proceedings will continue as the community waits for justice.
