Key West biker brawl suspect turns himself in

A Bradenton firefighter wanted by Key West police on a battery charge related to a barroom biker brawl Sept. 17 turned himself in Monday and bonded out quickly.

Clinton Neal Walker, 33, who local police say is a member of the worldwide Outlaws Motorcycle Club, arrived in Tavernier Monday morning to surrender on the arrest warrant issued Nov. 16.

The allegation is misdemeanor battery, punishable by up to one year in jail. Walker was booked into the Plantation Key jail about 9 a.m. He posted $3,000 bond and was released by 11 a.m.

The online publication the Florida Record reports that Walker’s attorney, Jerry Theophilopoulos, said his client was no longer involved with the Outlaws during the September brawl, which took place during the annual Poker Run charity event known as Bike Week in Key West.

The Outlaws are on the FBI’s short list of biker clubs deemed highly structured criminal enterprises.

“Mr. Walker intends on fighting this frivolous charge,” Theophilopoulos told the Record. He did not return a phone message by press time Tuesday.

Walker, who is on paid leave from his firefighter job, had been on vacation when the warrant was issued and turned himself in once he returned to Florida, his lawyer said.

Shortly after Key West police issued the arrest warrant last month, Hillsborough County’s administrator announced county employees were barred from belonging to any club deemed a criminal enterprise by state or federal government — including the Outlaws.

Police say they have surveillance video form the Rumor Lounge, 430 Greene St. showing Walker repeatedly punching a man in the face

About 3:20 a.m. Sept. 17, about 15 men wearing the colors of the Outlaws — one of the world’s largest biker clubs — began attacking bar employees following an argument between one Outlaw and the bar owner, John Mafera Jr., according to the initial police report.

The Outlaw had a dispute with a woman at the bar and wanted the owner to kick her out “before there was a problem,” police say. When the owner refused, fists began flying and Mafera was knocked down by a punch to the face.

James Kenny III of Key West said when he tried to help Mafera get up, the bikers attacked him. Kenny and Mafera were each left with a swollen eye and a bloody lip. Soon, bartenders and staff were jumping in trying to help “but were almost attacked also,” police said.

This story was originally published December 7, 2016 at 9:43 AM with the headline "Key West biker brawl suspect turns himself in."