{"id":19028,"date":"2016-01-06T16:42:12","date_gmt":"2016-01-07T00:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=19028"},"modified":"2016-01-06T16:59:21","modified_gmt":"2016-01-07T00:59:21","slug":"high-ranking-bandidos-motorcycle-club-leaders-arrested-federal-charges-news-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=19028","title":{"rendered":"High Ranking Bandidos Motorcycle Gang Leaders Arrested on Federal Charges (News Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEXAS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Federal and state authorities arrested the highest ranking leaders of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization \u2014\u00a0National President Jeffrey Fay Pike<\/strong>, National Vice President John Xavier Portillo<\/strong> and National Sergeant at Arms Justin Cole Forster<\/strong>— on federal racketeering and drug distribution charges.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pike, age 60 of Conroe, TX; Portillo, age 56 of San Antonio; and, Forster, age 31 of San Antonio, are accused of directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting other members of the organization to carry out racketeering acts including murder, attempted murder, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking to protect and enhance the organization\u2019s power, territory, reputation and profits, according to authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"DEA<\/a>Pike, Portillo and Forster remain in federal custody.\u00a0 Upon conviction, the defendants face up to life in federal prison, officials said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOperation Texas Rocker has inflicted a debilitating blow to the leadership hierarchy and violent perpetrators of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang,\u201d said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Houston Field Division.<\/strong> \u201cThis 23-month operation highlights a deliberate and strategic effort to cut off and shut down the supply of methamphetamine trafficked by the Bandidos as well as other related criminal activity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPike was arrested at his Conroe home in the early morning hours by about two dozen federal agents and police, said his Houston lawyer Kent Schaffer. He was called over a loud speaker to come out and surrender, which he did without incident, according to the Houston Chronicle.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A federal grand jury indictment,<\/a> unsealed today, charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization or RICO statute and one count of conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of racketeering\/<\/span><\/p>\n

Pike is also charged with one count of interference with Commerce by extortion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Portillo is also charged with two substantive violent crimes\/racketeering counts, plus one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and interference with Commerce by extortion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Forster is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of interference with Commerce by extortion.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the indictment, beginning in 2013, the Bandidos OMO declared it was \u201cat war\u201d with the Cossacks OMO.\u00a0 The indictment specifically alleges a number of violent acts committed by Bandidos OMO members in furtherance of this \u201cwar.\u201d\u00a0 The indictment also alleges that in 2014, Portillo received methamphetamine from Colorado-area Bandidos members and that Forster was selling ounce quantities of methamphetamine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese indictments and arrests are the result of the ongoing partnership and collaboration between the FBI, DEA and DPS to neutralize one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Texas,\u201d said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cThis effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent gang violence and criminal activity from poisoning our communities, but it also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent criminal enterprises.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bandidos were involved in a gunfight with rivals, the Cossacks, on May 17 that left nine dead and 177 bikers were arrested, officials said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Police recovered\u00a0480 weapons: 151 guns, along with assorted knives, brass knuckles, batons, hammers, and the bikers\u2019 blunt objects of choice \u2014 padlocks wrapped in bandanas.<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u00a0Department of Justice states that the Bandidos, formed in Houston in 1966, are the oldest, largest and most powerful motorcycle group in Texas with more than 2,000 members’<\/span><\/p>\n

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