Bandidos Motorcycle Club: News, Arrests, & History - Latest Updates
Are the shadows of the outlaw motorcycle world more than just a cinematic spectacle? The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, a name whispered with a mixture of fear and respect, stands as a stark reminder that the allure of the open road can often mask a world of illicit activities and unwavering loyalty, existing on the fringes of society.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Bandido Nation, isn't just any motorcycle club; it's one of the "big four" outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice, alongside the Hells Angels MC, Pagan's MC, and Outlaws MC. Their story is one of expansion, infamy, and a relentless struggle for power. Their story began in 1966 in San Leon, Texas, and has since spread to around 2,400 members across 210 chapters in 22 countries, a testament to their global reach and influence. Their iconic "fat Mexican" logo, a smiling bandit with a pistol, has become a chilling symbol, instantly recognizable within the biker subculture.
The Bandidos are not without their internal leadership and organizational structure. This role rotates, often with "Big Deal", or Bill Sartelle, serving as the national president. However, the club is frequently embroiled in disputes and rivalries. An example of such internal politics can be seen in how Dan Schild started the Kinfolk Motorcycle Club after he was overlooked for the Bandidos national president role. The bandidos frequently fight with the members of other clubs, but usual\u00adly win.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club are known for their exclusivity and strong sense of loyalty among members, like other 1% clubs. They have a reputation for independence and a willingness to challenge authority. The club members embrace a spirit of freedom, loyalty, and camaraderie.
The arrests in recent years followed a grand jury indictment obtained on September 13, 2011, which was sealed until the first defendants arrest. Similar enforcement actions took place in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas.
The activities of the Bandidos are often a cause of concern for law enforcement agencies. On November 22, 2016, in Denver, Colorado, three leaders of the gang were brought before the court after pleading guilty to selling methamphetamine and loaded firearms. The Colorado Attorney General's office maintains that the activities of several local Bandidos Motorcycle Club members weren't the stuff of hollywood fiction.
The Bandidos' influence isn't limited to the United States. They have expanded their presence across the United States, including Colorado. The Bandidos Motorcycle Club is another prominent 1% club with chapters in colorado. The club has chapters in the western hemisphere, with around 1100 members. In Great Falls, eleven Bandidos were arrested on May 27, 2003, after kidnapping and robbing Scott Spencer, a member of the rival Kinsmen Motorcycle Club.
The Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club, founded in Niwot, Colorado in 1966 by Bruce Gale The Dude Richardson, is a competing gang, adding another layer of complexity to the outlaw motorcycle club landscape. Richardson later left the club and died of natural causes in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on March 26, 2013.
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club is a part of the larger network of 1% clubs, which is added over time. The gang, according to its members, live without making excuses and earn respect where it is needed. Their notoriety and activities have put them on the radar of law enforcement across the world.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Leon, Texas, 1966 |
| Known As | Bandido Nation |
| Membership | Around 2,400 members in 210 chapters across 22 countries |
| Notoriety | One of the "big four" outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) |
| Logo | "Fat Mexican" logo: smiling bandit with a pistol |
| President | Bill Sartelle (Big Deal) |
| Activities | Drug sales, illegal firearms sales, racketeering, and other criminal activities. |
| Rivalries | Frequent fights with members of other clubs, as well as internal power struggles. |
| Exclusivity and Loyalty | Reputation for exclusivity and a strong sense of loyalty among members. |
| Chapters | Chapters in Colorado, and across the United States, North, Central and South America and the world. |
| Reference | Bandidos Motorcycle Club - Wikipedia |
