Odis Buck Garrett: Murders, Meth, & Hells Angels - Uncovered
Could a life marred by violence, betrayal, and the shadows of organized crime truly be considered a life lived? The story of Odis "Buck" Garrett offers a chilling glimpse into the dark underbelly of American society, a narrative woven with threads of murder, drug trafficking, and the ruthless code of the outlaw biker gang, the Hells Angels.
The name Odis Buck Garrett evokes a complex, often contradictory image. At one moment, he's painted as a ruthless figure, capable of ordering the brutal execution of a woman and her children. At another, he's the subject of nostalgic recollections from Ardmore, Oklahoma, residents who remember him as a man who maintained peace, demonstrating a surprising duality. His criminal career, spanning decades, included running a brothel, running the largest methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution case in the United States, and ultimately, ordering a triple murder. The official records of the federal inmate registry confirmed his death on February 12, 2017, at the age of 74, bringing a close to a life that was nothing if not eventful.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Odis "Buck" Garrett |
Date of Death | February 12, 2017 (Age 74) |
Cause of Death | Not Specified (Died in Prison) |
Known For | Ordering the murder of Margo Compton and her twin daughters; Alleged Methamphetamine Kingpin; Former president of Hells Angels Nomad Chapter in Vallejo, California. |
Criminal Activities | Prostitution (ran a brothel called "The Love Nest" in San Francisco), Methamphetamine Manufacturing and Distribution, Conspiracy to Murder, Drug Trafficking. |
Trial/Conviction | Convicted of ordering the murder of Margo Compton and her twin daughters; Convicted of running the largest methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution case in the United States; Convicted of conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess methamphetamine; Traveling interstate in aid of drug trafficking; Structuring. |
Associations | Hells Angels Motorcycle Club |
Residence | Vallejo, California (Owned a house in the area) |
Additional Information | Subject of recollections from Ardmore, Oklahoma, residents; Appeals of convictions heard by Reinhardt and Rymer, circuit judges, and Tanner, district judge; Yocom was last seen getting into a car with Odis Buck Garrett in Oroville, California on February 7, 1985 |
Reference | Find a Grave |
The chilling core of Garrett's story revolves around the murder of Margo Compton and her seven-year-old twin daughters. The motive? Compton had testified against Garrett, a longtime gang leader, and several other members of the Hells Angels in a California prostitution trial. The biker code, as chillingly articulated in the underworld, demands retribution for those who "snitch." Buck Garrett, however, wanted more than a simple silencing. He sought a gruesome spectacle, allegedly ordering the twins to be killed in front of their mother before her own demise. This act reveals a level of brutality that transcends mere gangland violence, plumbing the depths of human depravity.
The Love Nest, a brothel in San Francisco, provided the backdrop for some of Garrett's illicit activities. It was a place where the seeds of his eventual downfall were sown. Compton's testimony, a brave act of defiance, set in motion a chain of events that ultimately led to Garrett's imprisonment. Behind bars, Garrett continued to wield influence, even becoming a major meth supplier within the prison system. He shared the story of the Compton murders with another inmate, who subsequently shared those secrets, further exposing the depth of his crimes. The scale of Garrett's criminal empire was truly staggering. Convicted in June of running what prosecutors called the largest methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution case in the United States. He was a convicted pimp and methamphetamine dealer.
The narrative of Buck Garrett is not solely one of violence and criminality. In the small town of Ardmore, Oklahoma, a different side of the man emerges. Recollections from Ardmore residents speak of his work in maintaining peace during the early days of the town, his generosity, and concern for the community. They mention his wife, Ma Garrett, and the return of Clar Smith Hamon to Ardmore for trial. These accounts, while perhaps romanticized by the passage of time, paint a picture of a man who, at least in one context, embodied a degree of respectability and even benevolence. The duality presents a perplexing paradox: how could a man capable of such violence also be remembered with fondness and respect?
Adding to the complexity is the case of Yocom, who was last seen with Garrett on February 7, 1985, in Oroville, California. Garrett was to drive her to Klamath Falls, Oregon, ostensibly to avoid a court appearance. Instead, Garrett may have taken her to his home in the Vallejo, California, area. The fate of Yocom remains unknown, adding another layer of mystery to the Garrett saga. The case highlights his ability to influence and manipulate others, showcasing the web of control he weaved around himself.
Garrett's criminal endeavors also include involvement in methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution. He was convicted of conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess methamphetamine, as well as traveling interstate in aid of drug trafficking and structuring. The appeal of these convictions illustrates his persistent attempts to evade the consequences of his actions. The judiciary system was constantly chasing Garrett's shadow, from trial to appeal, highlighting the scope and complexity of his criminal activities.
Interestingly, the story of Buck Garrett intersects with another figure who bore the same surname and a connection to law enforcement. Learn about Buck Garrett, the nephew of Pat Garrett, who was a career lawman and gunfighter in Oklahoma. He participated in the Johnson County War, pursued Bill Dalton, and became a wealthy businessman and sheriff. His presence underscores the wide scope and scale of the name "Garrett" in the American West, encompassing figures on both sides of the law. Though a similar name is shared, Buck Garrett and Pat Garrett were vastly different, with one becoming a gunfighter and lawman, the other, a ruthless criminal.
Beyond the documented crimes and the whispers of a dual nature, a few tangible remnants of Buck Garrett's life remain. Cased reading glasses, marked "Buck Garrett / Ardmore Okla.," a leather shoulder holster marked "Buck," vintage handcuffs, and a leather-bound grooming set marked with his name offer glimpses into his personal life. As a young man, Garrett was a gunman for wealthy Wyoming cattle barons. These objects, each marked with his name, serve as physical reminders of the life he lived, a life now confined to the annals of criminal history.
Garrett's story is, in essence, a testament to the enduring conflict between good and evil, law and lawlessness, and the undeniable capacity for darkness that exists within the human soul. His story offers a complex portrayal of a man capable of both violence and, to some, a degree of kindness. He was a man driven by greed, power, and a chilling disregard for human life, whose legacy continues to echo in the memories of those who encountered him.
The narratives surrounding Odis Buck Garrett, whether rooted in fear, nostalgia, or criminal proceedings, serve as a stark reminder of the shadows that lurk within society and the individuals who choose to embrace them. His story, a tapestry woven with threads of crime, violence, and the complexities of human nature, continues to captivate and disturb long after his death.
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