Houston, TX – In a major crackdown on organized crime, a shocking 22-count federal indictment has been unsealed, charging 14 members and associates of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and its affiliate, Mascareros Motorcycle Club, with violent crimes, including racketeering, murder, attempted murder, and assault.
The indictment, issued in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX), alleges that the Bandidos, a self-proclaimed “outlaw” motorcycle gang with thousands of members worldwide, have been engaged in a violent turf war since 2019 against a rival gang known as B*EAST. The charges claim that national Bandidos leadership ordered a “smash on sight” directive, targeting rivals with deadly force.
Allegations of Extreme Violence
Among those indicted, David Vargas, aka Brake Check, faces multiple charges, including murder in aid of racketeering and attempted murder. If convicted, he could receive a mandatory life sentence or the death penalty. Other key figures, including John M. Pfeffer (Big John), Darvi Hinojosa (10 Round), and Bradley Rickenbacker (Dolla Bill), face charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, and weapons violations, with potential life sentences.
The indictment details brutal assaults, public shootouts, and targeted murders linked to the gang’s operations in Houston and surrounding areas. Law enforcement officials say innocent civilians were often at risk due to reckless gunfire exchanged in public spaces.
Federal Crackdown on Organized Crime
The FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and local law enforcement agencies conducted the operation under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. Officials say the case is part of a broader effort to dismantle violent criminal networks and restore public safety.
“The Bandidos declare war on rivals—and they wage that war on our streets,” said a Justice Department official. “Criminal behavior like this has no place in America.”
Several of the accused are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo on February 20. If convicted, many face life in prison or the death penalty.
Authorities continue to investigate, and more arrests may follow as the case unfolds.
