SAN ANTONIO (KENS) - A federal indictment released Wednesday alleges numerous high-ranking members of the Texas-based Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization have be charged with violent crimes involving racketeering, extortion and drug distribution.
According to the 9-count indictment, John Xavier Portillo, 56, the gang’s national and international vice president, and Justin Cole Forster, 31, its national sergeant at arms, were both taken into custody in San Antonio. A third member, and the gang's leader, Conroe resident Jeffrey Fay Pike, 60, was snagged in Houston.
The members have been charged each with, one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and one count of conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR), 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.
According to the paperwork, Pike has also been charged with one count of interference with Commerce by extortion, and Portillo with two substantive VICAR counts. Forster is also 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.
The indictment paperwork alleges that many of the violent acts were done in promotion of a gang "war" with rival outlaw motorcycle group, the Cossacks.
All three men remain in federal custody. Upon conviction, each faces up to life in federal prison. "Of course, the defendants will have their day in court, but today's arrests have struck a significant blow to the Bandidos' criminal enterprise,” said United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.
