On various charges including kidnapping, the entire Bakersfield chapter of the notorious Hells Angels motorcycle gang has been arrested by authorities in California. The arrest was made on June 26.
In a recent statement, the Kern County sheriff’s office, which is situated north of Los Angeles, announced the arrest of six gang members on Tuesday morning. The authorities also stated that a seventh member was already in police custody.
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The public was not given much information on the cause for the arrests, but according to the office, they were a result of a collaborative investigation carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and California Highway Patrol.
The charges brought against the suspects include kidnapping, first-degree robbery, criminal threats, false imprisonment, assault with a firearm, criminal conspiracy, and other related offenses. The accused individuals are believed to be members of a gang.
On Tuesday, law enforcement officials carried out eight search warrants across Bakersfield resulting in the seizure of 25 firearms, ammunition, several high-capacity magazines, and paraphernalia associated with gang-affiliation.
Seven suspects have been identified by the sheriff’s office, including Rocardo Alvarez (42), Armando Villasenor (55), Joseph Soto Sr. (57), Joseph Soto Jr. (33), Joshua Zavala (31), John Seeger (57), and Joshua Vaughn (37).
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the jail records of the defendants have been posted online, revealing that most of them are currently detained at the Lerdo Justice Facility. However, Vaughn was already in police custody on Tuesday and is currently being held at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility, as stated in his jail record.
All but two of the defendants were granted bail, with the majority having to pay $800,000. However, Vaughn, who was charged with 13 offenses, had to pay $670,000 for bail. Similarly, Zavala, who was charged with 15 offenses, had to pay a bail amount of over $1 million.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Alvarez, Villasenor, Soto Sr., Soto Jr., and Zavala are confirmed as “active, patched members” of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’s Bakersfield chapter. Meanwhile, Vaughn and Seeger are affiliated with the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club, which follows the orders and directives of the Hells Angels.
The Hells Angels have been categorized as an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang by the Justice Department. These gangs use their motorcycle clubs as a means to carry out criminal activities.
According to the Justice Department, there are over 300 active OMGs. They have also identified the Hells Angels as one of the groups that pose a significant threat to national security.
