[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Teen Mom star Mackenzie Edwards claims her husband Ryan Edwards joined a gang — and this was the final straw that led her to seek legal action.
As we’ve been following, earlier this month, Ryan was arrested in Tennessee for harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and for violating an order of protection. According to News 9, Mackenzie reported Ryan to the police after he posted a NSFW photo of her online, which she believes he did in retaliation for the order of protection. When she went to the authorities, they also discovered he’d broken the temporary order by contacting Mackenzie’s father the day before.
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According to the initial arrest affidavit, the 27-year-old sought out help from authorities after she “interpreted” a phone call with Ryan “as a legitimate threat on her life.” In the conversation, which she recorded for the cops, he can be heard saying:
“You better f**king lie to the dudes who come and ask you, they’re gonna come and ask you at work.”
After declaring she doesn’t “want to be with” Ryan anymore, he went on to insist trouble was heading her way, adding:
“Yeah I hear you, but you… look… I guess you didn’t hear me. What’s about to happen to you is gonna be ugly.”
At the time, the “dudes” he was referring to were a mystery, but not anymore! The US Sun obtained a copy of the reality star’s petition for an order of protection, which was filed on February 8, and not only does she open up about the alleged domestic violence she suffered, but it also claims her husband joined a gang! In the filing, Mackenzie claims Ryan joined the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club. She wrote:
“Phone call threatening me, saying I’m not going to like what’s going to happen to me by ‘Black Pistons MC’ that he joined. They ‘will find me.’”
Ryan’s arrest affidavit also included more insight into the threatening phone call they shared about the group, in which the 35-year-old said:
“The people in the club I f**king joined Friday. You know it’s a big no-no to be married and have your wife disrespect you in that kind of way but I said I’d take the a** whooping because I didn’t want the outcome to be [unintelligible] for you, and that ain’t fair.”
He went on:
“If you don’t tell me the truth right now, God you’re gonna f**king regret that.”
It’s unclear what he wanted her to say, but at this point, she declared she wanted to split up (as mentioned above). The couple shares two kids, Jagger, 4, and Stella, 3. They each have a child from a previous relationship, as well.
So, who exactly are his new friends? According to the outlet, the Black Pistons MC is a motorcycle group that has a history of criminal charges and bad behavior, including drug use. The group began in Germany in 2001, but now has chapters in the US, Canada, and Europe. In 2021, the Department of Justice released a statement about the criminal org, saying:
“The Black Pistons Motorcycle Club is the official support club for the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Established in 2002 with the backing of The Outlaws, the Black Pistons have expanded rapidly throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. The Black Pistons have an estimated 70 domestic chapters in 20 states and an unknown number of foreign chapters in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Norway and Poland. The exact number of Black Pistons members is unknown but the figure is estimated to be more than 200 in the United States.”
As for what the organization is focused on, the statement continued:
“The Outlaws also use the Black Pistons chapters to conduct criminal activity, especially for the transportation and distribution of drugs. Members of the Black Pistons are also known to engage in assault, extortion, fraud, intimidation and theft.”
In February 2010, federal agents made several arrests at the motorcycle club in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which included members being charged with “conspiracy to distribute cocaine and substantive cocaine distribution charges,” per Local 3 News. One member was charged with “being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possessing child pornography, and receiving child pornography.” Meanwhile, another was hit with a charge for “distribution of Dihydrocodeinone, a schedule III controlled substance, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.” Several others were accused of “distribution of methamphetamine and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.” So, some pretty icky stuff!
Ryan’s alleged decision to join this gang comes amid allegations of domestic violence, as well. Mackenzie’s petition for an order of protection also detailed a series of domestic violence incidents, including one that allegedly took place on January 15, 2023. She stated:
“Arguing, Ryan punched holes in the walls and doors. [He] held me up by my neck to the wall. Threw me down in hallway and said if he could not have me no one could. Opened pocket knife, put to my back like he was going to kill me. This was in front of children. I tried to leave, he smashed my phone, took my car keys.”
She claimed her co-worker then called 911. Then on January 24, 2023, she noted:
“[He] came into bedroom where I was laying down. Pretending like he’s going to punch my face. Breaks bed with me in it. Getting in my face yelling. I went to get kids and leave. He wouldn’t let me leave. Threw me down in living room. Threw menthol nicotine in my eyes.”
She claimed her father called the cops and officers found a loaded AR gun in the home. She also noted Ryan has a “vast history of substance abuse” and claimed in the petition that sheriffs “documented him stating [he was] still using heroin” on January 28. She requested Ryan have no contact with her and for him to stay away from her home and workplace, including asking the court to order Ryan to move out “immediately.” She also requested temporary custody of their kids, but did not ask for them to be protected from their father. On February 9, a temporary order of protection was issued. The next day, Ryan was arrested.
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As mentioned, Ryan was also slammed with drug charges after the arrest. According to the affidavit, he claimed he had multiple substances on him at the time of the arrest, the court docs read:
“I [the officer] searched the inside of his wallet and located a glass pipe and two baggies of white powder. One baggie appeared to be very white, more consistent with cocaine, while the other appeared slightly darker, more consistent with heroin. The combined weight was 1.8 grams. This will be sent off for testing.”
Ryan’s alleged drug addiction isn’t entirely new. He’s been in and out of rehab and jail over the years, and he’s also been open about his struggle with heroin addiction on Teen Mom OG. Now thanks to this latest trouble, he is being held on a $5,000 bond and has a court hearing scheduled for late March. Clapping back at all the allegations, Ryan denied joining the Black Pistons and hit back at claims made in the restraining order, telling The US Sun on Monday:
“I don’t speak for her. I never wanted to hurt her, just tried telling her. I would have loved to work on it because I still at the time wanted to.”
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office also told the outlet:
“We do not have any additional comment to make on this incident other than what was originally listed in our press release.”
Oof. This remains a very contentious and messy situation. We hope everyone remains safe. Thoughts? Let us know (below).
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Silverdale Detention Center & Mackenzie Edwards/Instagram]
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