By GREG RISLING – 2 days ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former national president of the notorious Mongols motorcycle gang has pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in a case that accused other members of murder, drug trafficking and violent attacks.
Prosecutors revealed January's guilty plea by Ruben "Doc" Cavazos in court papers filed on June 29. He could face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in February.
A phone message left with Cavazos' attorney Angel Navarro was not immediately returned Tuesday.
Cavazos and other Mongol leaders directed members to engage in murders, extortion, robberies and drug trafficking to "promote and further the activities of the Mongols gang," according to a 177-page indictment.
Among other things, prosecutors claim Cavazos was involved in negotiating with Mexican Mafia leaders over the collection of payments for drug trafficking in areas controlled by that gang and getting Mongol members to commit crimes against people who challenged the gang's authority.
The indictment said the group, which is mostly Latino, also attacked black people, committed robberies and stole motorcycles. The gang funded itself in part by stealing credit card account information, prosecutors said.
Authorities conducted a sweep last October in six states, rounding up members after an undercover investigation put federal agents inside the motorcycle club where they were accepted as full members.
A number of the 79 members indicted have already pleaded guilty to a variety of charges, but most of the plea agreements remained under seal. The Associated Press has challenged a federal judge's decision to seal the documents.
Cavazos, a former medical technician at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, wrote a memoir of his life titled "Honor Few, Fear None: The Life and Times of a Mongol" that was published by HarperCollins last year.
On a Web site promoting the book, Cavazos wrote: "I would like to thank everyone who has stood by family and I. With your support and prayers, I am confident that I will see all of you on the outside again."
Absent from the site is the group's trademarked logo. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper has barred members from wearing or distributing the image.
The Web site says, "By order of the federal attorney, image has been removed."
Prosecutors argue the logo should be forfeited because the trademarks were acquired and maintained by Cavazos while the gang was involved in criminal activity.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Welk said in court documents that the Mongols have challenged the injunction.
Welk could not immediately be reached for comment
Hells Angels: Carlton prepares for the rumble of the riders, good and bad
By Beth Jett and photojournalist John Thain, FOX 21 News
CARLTON, Minn. - In about three weeks, the Northland will hear the rumble of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. It's the talk of the small town of Carlton and the surrounding area. Residents and business owners aren't sure what to expect from a club with such a controversial reputation.
With the noise of their motorcycles and name of their club preceding them, it's enough to intimidate a small town of just over 800 people.
"I wish they didn't come here because I'm afraid for my little grandkids. I'm gonna watch them close," said Eleera Maki of Cloquet.
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club will converge on Carlton July 29th through August 2nd, for meetings, riding and revelry before heading to Sturgis, South Dakota for a rally. Area law enforcement is preparing for up to 1,000 visitors, including other affiliated motorcycle clubs joining them for the ride to Sturgis.
Although police and sheriff's departments wouldn't reveal their specific plans, they promise increased presence during the five day event.
The Club's visit to Carlton is all the talk of the town. Some people are dreading it, others are hoping to profit from it, but most are just hoping it comes and goes without incident.
"Hopefully it turns out ok, they come into town and have fun and get on their way to Sturgis," said Brandon Sell of Carlton. He owns Third Base Bar in town and hopes the visitors will mean extra business for him. However, the Club rented out the Lost Isle Bar for the weekend, bringing in their own alcohol, food and wait staff.
Sell said, despite reports of crime and violence towards women in past rallies, his female employees insisted on working. "All of them said, you know, I wanna work and that's why I have a job here and I wanna work. It'd be nice to have someone here with me so I'm not alone." Sell plans to be there himself each night, but isn't hiring extra security.
In the meantime, baseball bats crack against balls in a small baseball field in Carlton. Life continues as normal there, but residents are aware of what's coming.
"I have heard don't be on Willard Munger Trail during the time, don't go out to local bars by yourself," said Stephanie Annala of Carlton.
"I'll probably keep my doors locked at night til their gone," said Pam Koncal who lives outside of Carlton.
"I just really don't believe they're gonna go out exclusively looking for problems unless someone creates them for them," said Adam Bailey. Bailey is a Carlton City Councilman as well as a firefighter. He says the fire department is ready for the Club's visit and the city will have extra ambulances on hand in case of need, but he doesn't expect any major problems. "If I stay outta their way and don't cause problems I don't think they will either," said Bailey.
If you'd like to know more about the Hells Angels' planned visit, there are two public meetings coming up. The first is on July 14 at Barnum High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. A second one is set for July 15th at Cloquet Middle School Auditorium, also at 6:30 p.m.
FOX 21 reached out by phone and email to the Hells Angels clubs in Minnesota and elsewhere but received no response from them.
(Note: Seen to many B movies lately)
Murder trial begins in Conn. biker club shooting
July 8, 2009LITCHFIELD, Conn. - The murder trial of a Watertown man accused of killing the president of a Torrington motorcycle club is beginning.
Prosecutors plan to begin presenting evidence in Litchfield Superior Court Wednesday in the trial of 54-year-old Kevin Campbell.
Campbell is charged with murder in the shooting death of 51-year-old Roland LaGasse of Torrington, who was president of the Forbidden Motor Cycle Club.
Campbell, who was also a member of the biker club, has said he acted in self-defense and the gun accidentally went off.
(NOTE: If I'm gonna defend myself it will be no accident that the gun goes off)
Witness recounts shooting death at biker club
Thebarge testified on the first day of Campbell's murder trial at Litchfield Superior Court on Wednesday. She said she dialed 911 as her then-boyfriend, Eugene Thebarge, tried to resuscitate the 51-year-old LaGasse, who briefly gasped for air but never regained consciousness outside the Forbidden Motorcycle Club's small headquarters along Winsted Road.
"Somebody just got shot," she is heard to say in a recording of the call played for 12 regular and three alternate jurors.
Known as HB, a short version of his nickname, "Hambone," Campbell was one of several club officers who emerged from the clubhouse just before 8 p.m. that night. LaGasse had been at odds with Campbell, of Watertown, and his brother James over membership issues.
"Roland was upset and was followed out the door by Jimmy and Kevin Campbell, then Eugene Thebarge," said Jennifer Thebarge of Bristol. "It all happened very fast. Then pow. I ran over to see if my fiance was OK. He screamed to call 911, then did CPR to try to save Roland's life."
The Torrington man was declared dead at the scene.
Thebarge didn't answer when the dispatcher asked her who the gunman was.
"I said I didn't know because HB was within feet of me with a gun, pointing it in my direction like this," Thebarge said, her hand in front of her.
"I didn't see him pull the trigger, but I saw him with the gun in his hand."Add to Technorati Favorites
0 comments:
Post a Comment