Federal agents in Southern California and five other locations conducted raids yesterday to arrest nearly 80 members of the Mongols motorcycle gang. Those arrested were indicted on a number of federal charges, including racketeering. The federal government is also seeking to gain control of the gang’s trademarked name and logo.

The federal government seeks to take over the mark, which would allow law enforcement agents to confiscate property bearing the name or logo of the group. The US Attorney in charge of the prosecution says that the government is taking the move as a way to help extinguish the gang.

In addition to facing federal racketeering charges, the arrested members are charged with a number of violent crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, weapons offenses and money laundering. The 177-page indictment against the gang was unsealed yesterday morning.

The case was developed over a period of years, with the help of federal agents who infiltrated the gang, and with a number of confidential informants, also in the gang. The Mongols are a highly organized group, have a constitution and set of bylaws. Major decisions about the group are made by a select number of leaders within the gang. According to the indictment, the gang funds its operations largely through the sale of methamphetamine.

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Photo Credit: Roger Kirby