Biker Feud Heats Up: Suspicious Fire Destroys Home Of Man Who Killed Rival Gang Member On Lake Ozark Strip

PRESTON, Mo. — A second suspicious fire appears to have targeted one of the local motorcycle clubs involved in the infamous fatal gunfight on the Lake Ozark Strip last month. LakeExpo has confirmed that on Tuesday, Aug. 3, the home of Tonka Way-Con Ponder, who is currently facing felony charges related to the gunfight, was burned to the ground. Ponder was released on bond, on July 27.

The Preston Volunteer Fire Department Chief confirmed to LakeExpo that firefighters were called to the home at 36009 Hwy 54, Preston, Mo. at approximately 1 a.m., and battled the blaze for around 4.5 hours. No one was home at the time of the fire, and no one was injured, but the home was a total loss. CaseNet lists that location, just west of Macks Creek on Highway 54, as Ponder’s home address.

The fire chief said the fire was determined to be suspicious in nature, and the state fire marshal’s office was contacted. However due to the extent of the damage, investigators could not determine the specific cause. “We didn't have anything left to investigate,” the fire chief told LakeExpo.

This is the second fire to apparently target the Galloping Goose Motorcycle Club, of which Ponder is a member, since the fatal July 15 gunfight that injured four and killed one, making national headlines. The night of July 20, the Midwest Drifters’, an affiliate of the Galloping Goose, local chapter clubhouse was damaged by fire; the next morning, officials with local, state, and federal agencies were on the scene, investigating. As of Friday, Aug. 6, no charges had been filed in connection with that fire.

The Gunfight

On Thursday, July 15, authorities say a physical altercation on the porch of a Lake Ozark restaurant/bar turned into a gun battle. In multiple court documents, authorities say 25-year-old Blane Curley, a member of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, drew his gun, after which Tonka Way-Con Ponder pulled out a firearm and fatally shot Curley. Ponder has not been charged for Curley’s death, but is facing felony charges of Assault and Armed Criminal Action for what followed: a gun battle that spilled into the street on the busy Lake Ozark Strip, in which approximately 20 shots were fired, and four people were injured. Authorities say Ponder, who was wounded in that gunfight, shot and injured a man who walked past with his hands in the air.

Daniel Kurtzeborn, 38, of Iberia, was also later charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Authorities say Kurtzeborn was one of several men who brandished a firearm and exchanged gunfire during the fight, but as a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing a firearm.