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Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office investigators have arrested a Carrsville man whom they allege is a high-ranking member of the Wheels of Soul outlaw motorcycle gang.

Deputies took 35-year-old Ronald Matthews into custody at his home, charging him with seven felonies and one misdemeanor.

The investigation began on Dec. 7, according to a press release from the agency, when investigators executed a search warrant for two stolen vehicles in the 30000 block of Holly Run Drive. There, they discovered various types and quantities of illegal narcotics, ammunition and firearms. They then executed a second search warrant with the assistance of multiple agencies, which uncovered a large amount of outlaw motorcycle gang paraphernalia.

A third and final search warrant led them to arrest Matthews.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice website, outlaw motorcycle gangs are organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal activities such as violent crime, weapons trafficking and drug trafficking.

Matthews is charged with one count of possession or transport of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of firearms while in possession of certain substances, one count of possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, one count of possession of a schedule III controlled substance, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of receiving stolen goods and one count of street gang participation.

Matthews was arraigned the morning of Dec. 8 and is being held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail without bond.

The Virginia State Police, Meherrin Drug Task Force, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the National Insurance Crime Bureau assisted in the operation.

The Sheriff’s Office is still searching for the second stolen vehicle listed in the initial search warrant: a red Range Rover with a temporary license plate of P2895301. Anyone who sees this vehicle is advised not to approach it but rather to call 911, the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit a tip at P3tip.com. All tips remain confidential, and callers are never asked to reveal their identities.