5 LA Men Arrested In Fed Crackdown On Vagos Biker Gang

LOS ANGELES, CA ― Five Los Angeles County men were among the 22 arrested Friday in a federal raid at several Southern California locations in a crackdown of the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, authorities said.

Early morning raids and arrests were made in Pasadena, Granada Hills, Alhambra, Canyon Country, the Inland Empire, Northern California, Hawaii and Nevada. A 45-page indictment unsealed after the arrests lists several charges, including racketeering, murder, robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault.

One of the indictments includes murder allegations linked to the slaying of a rival Hells Angels gang leader, who was killed Sept. 23, 2011, at the Nugget resort in Sparks, Nevada. Prosecutors alleged that Ernesto Manuel "Romero" Gonzalez, one of the Vagos leaders, was behind the alleged murder.

“The murder committed by Ernesto Gonzalez in the Nugget Casino was always a part of a larger criminal conspiracy, which has been made even more clear today,” Washoe County, Nevada District Attorney Christopher Hicks said. “Prosecuting Gonzalez for his actions has been a priority for my office."

The indictment alleges the Vagos OMG is an organized criminal organization whose members conspired to enrich the gang and kept victims in fear of the gang through acts and threats of violence. Witnesses to the gang’s criminal acts are typically victims of acts of obstruction, intimidation and harassment who are too afraid to approach law enforcement or testify in court proceedings, according to the indictment.

"Today’s coordinated takedown of this biker organization’s leadership is a victory for all of us who respect and love our country, and a testament to the bravery and dedication of federal, state and local law enforcement men and women who to keep our communities safe,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco said.

The five men arrested in Los Angeles County are:

• Albert "Al" Lopez, 39, of Canyon Country;
• James Patrick "Jimbo" Gillespie, 68, of Granada Hills;
• Paul Jeffrey "Shyster" Voll, 52, of Pasadena;
• John Joseph "Rocky" Siemer, 60, of Baldwin Park; and
• Bradley Michael "Candy Man" Campos, 50, of Alhambra

The indictment alleges the defendants participated in crimes involving the Vagos, which is active in at least seven countries, including about 75 chapters in the United States, 54 of which are in California and Nevada, officials said.

Photo: Renee Silverman via flickr.com