Former Mongols' president pleads guilty
to racketeering -
Pasadena Star-News -
LOS ANGELES - Ruben "Doc" Cavazos, a West
Covina resident and reputed former
ringleader of the Mongols motorcycle gang,
entered a guilty plea to one count of
racketeering and faces a life prison
sentence, according to federal court
documents.
The documents, part of a 13-page filing by
the federal government seeking to take
control of the Mongols' trademark, were
entered into the record June 29.
Cavazos' attorney Angel Navarro apparently
received a copy of the filing and signed
off, according to a memo from U.S. Attorney
Thomas P. O'Brien.
"As part of his guilty plea (Cavazos) agreed
to the forfeiture of all right, title and
interest in certain assets acquired or
maintained by him... including... the
`Mongols Registered Trademarks' or `marks."'
The filing also notes that several members
of the gang entered guilty pleas to the
racketeering charge.
That charge and several others are contained
in a 177-page indictment filed against
Cavazos and 78 other defendants. The federal
case details a pattern of murder, attempted
murder, drug dealing and racially motivated
attacks.
It also alleges that Cavazos sought to join
an alliance with the Mexican Mafia to garner
profits from trade in illegal drugs.
Cavazos was arrested in October during a
nationwide, federal sweep targeting members
of the outlaw motorcycle gang. In all
authorities arrested 61 people in Southern
California.
The arrests were conducted after a
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three-year undercover investigation.
Neither Navarro nor representatives from the
U.S. Attorney's Office responded on Tuesday
to requests for comment.
About the time of the filing last week,
federal agents and local officials began
seizing Mongols paraphernalia.
On July 1, police seized Mongols Motorcycle
Club paraphernalia Thursday during a parole
probation compliance check of 40 locations
in Rosemead and South San Gabriel, officials
said.
The items bearing the Mongols insignia
included shirts, jackets, a clock and
beanies.
The items were taken from a man identified
as Mauricio Montano, in the 8100 block of
Blewett Street in San Gabriel, according to
Sgt. Mark Flores of the Los Angeles County
Sheriff's Temple Station.
Montano is believed to be part of a Pico
Rivera chapter of the outlaw motorcycle
gang, officials said. He was taken into
custody but not arrested.
Through their recent filings, the government
is seeking to take control of the Mongols'
logos, one of which is a black-and-white
cartoon of a pony-tailed warrior aboard a
motorcycle.
In a court filing dated Monday prosecutors
further detailed Cavazos' and his cohorts'
guilty plea.
"Admissions have been made that establish
the (trade)marks were acquired and
maintained during the course and in
furtherance of the criminal RICO
enterprise," the memo notes. "These pleas
not only establish probable cause to believe
that the marks are subject to restraint, but
that they are subject to forfeiture."
Bikie 'threat' to Sharks' boss -
Melbourne Herald Sun -
SHARKS tragic and accused fraudster, Clint
Elford, faces new charges of threatening to
have an outlaw bikie bash the former
Cronulla boss Tony Zappia. Police charged
Elford, 27, today with trying to send a
document threatening grievous bodily harm.
Correctives Services staff at Goulburn Jail
found a letter last Wednesday that Elford is
alleged to have tried to send to a member of
the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang.
It allegedly reveals: "I don't want him
permanently hurt but he needs to be taught a
lesson.''
Zappia's address was also alleged to be in
the letter.
Zappia resigned his post at the NRL club in
June after becoming embroiled in several
off-field scandals.
The Daily Telegraph revealed he had forged
links with alleged fraudster Elford to
establish a foundation for the Sharks.
He failed to tell the Cronulla board about
the foundation, nor about six cheques worth
$5000 each that Elford had sent.
It emerged Zappia was warned Elford had
allegedly forged documents relating to a
terminal illness he had allegedly fabricated
to defraud a number of insurance companies.
Elford was taken to Goulburn Police Station
today where he was charged and will appear
in court.
Vets Mountain Run runs smoothly at
airport venue -
Tehachapi News - The
Veterans Mountain Run switch in its sixth
year from its location at the VFW post on
Tehachapi Boulevard to the Tehachapi Airport
proved to be a good one.
“It was fun,” said event organizer Orion
Sanders, president of Funds for Freedom,
which stages the event as a fundraiser for a
memorial walkway at the Bakersfield National
Cemetery. “It was a success and it went
smoothly.
“There were a few issues that we learned
about because it was a different venue.”
A re-useable, locally constructed concert
stage with a high quality sound system set
up for the legendary boogie blues band
Canned Heat offered the prospect of more
concerts in the crowd-friendly venue.
Canned Heat, whose impeccable musical
credentials include playing at the 1967
Monterey Pop Festival and the Woodstock
Festival in 1969, was right at home at the
Veterans Mountain Run.
“Canned Heat has played more biker festivals
than any other band on this earth,” said
drummer Fito de la Parra, who has been with
the band since the beginning. At one time,
the Hells Angels motorcycle club managed
Canned Heat.
Band members Barry Levenson on guitar, Dale
Spalding on guitar, harmonica and vocals,
Greg Kage on bass and vocals and de la Parra
took time to chat with members of the
audience after the concert.
They were preparing to leave in a few days
on a two-month tour of Europe to celebrate
their 40th year of touring. The lineup will
include original personnel Larry Taylor
(“The Mole”) on bass and Chicago blues
guitarist Harvey Mandell.
“It’s my 114th tour of Europe,” de la Parra
said.
After that, Canned Heat will join other
Woodstock alumni bands on a U.S. tour.
Security less obvious
Sanders said that in contrast to the heavy
handed multi-agency police surveillance at
last year’s event that convinced some of the
visitors to leave early, the presence of the
law was subtle.
“They [police] were very supportive this
year,” Sanders said. “They managed it very
well. They sat back, looked, watched and
listened.”
While the police gave out a few tickets for
helmets that did not meet U.S. Department of
Transportation certification, Sanders said,
“It was a calm, cool, collected weekend.”
“We [police department] were pleased with
how the event went,” said Tehachapi Police
Chief Jeff Kermode. “There were no
significant issues and the event staff did a
good job of policing themselves.
“I’m not aware of any fights or
disturbances.
“The only ‘outlaw’ group flying colors was
the Vagos, but there were only four or five
of them and they did not create a problem.”
Sanders said the Vagos turned up at a bar in
town, not at the airport.
“We asked the police not to swarm the place,
Sander said. “They did a fine job behind the
scenes. A lot of people didn’t know they
were there.”
“We had approximately 16 Street Interdiction
Team [SIT] officers each night,” Kermode
said. “Participating agencies included
Arvin, Bakersfield, Delano, FBI, Kern County
Probation, Shafter, Stallion Springs and
Taft. The CHP provided extra coverage in the
area, however it was not part of the SIT
operation. Bear Valley Dispatch provided
radio coordination for the operation.”
Camping and dancing
The airport site provided tent camping at
the cool green park, plenty of room for
vendors, dancing, motorcycle parking and
motorcycle games. The location inside the
perimeter of the airport lent itself to ease
of security.
The airport closed a short portion of the
taxi way for the event but the closure did
not affect air traffic, said Kathie
Mikulovsky, airport administrator.
“It went very well,” she said. “We never had
had anything like that before. It was a
first for us.”
Visitors, campers and custodial crews at the
Veterans Mountain Run left the place so
clean that right after the event, she said,
“It looks exactly like it did before.”
“I think they have found a home,” said
Tehachapi City Manager Greg Garrett. “We
look forward to next year.”
Impaired driver had wine on his
motorcycle handlebar -
Waterloo Record -
A man is out of work and facing a hefty fine
because he climbed on his motorcycle after
drinking at a company barbecue.
Douglas Barker, 49, pled guilty yesterday to
impaired driving on March 20.
Kitchener's Ontario Court heard two
motorists stopped at a red light at Belmont
Avenue and Talbot Street in Kitchener saw
Barker lose his balance on the motorcycle.
He fell to the left, and his leg was
trapped.
As citizens rushed over to help, he stood
up. He admitted to police that he was drunk
and shouldn't have been driving.
He'd consumed a litre of wine, and the juice
bottle on his handlebar contained more wine,
he said.
His blood alcohol level was .193, which is
more than double the legal limit.
His lawyer, Bruce Ritter, said Barker drank
beer and homemade wine at the barbecue.
He had worked as a plumber, but lost his job
along with his driver's licence. He hasn't
been able to find work since.
"You're finding out the hard way that
impaired driving can have serious
consequences,'' said Justice Don Downie.
He fined Barker $1,250. He can't drive for a
year.
Motorcyclist killed in collision near Six
Flags - St. Louis
Post-Dispatch - WILDWOOD -- Wesley P.
Masters, 34, of Fenton, was killed Tuesday
morning in a motorcycle crash near Six
Flags, St. Louis County police said. Masters
died about 8 a.m. in a collision with an SUV
on Allenton Road near Tamara Trail, police
said. He was on a 2008 Kawasaki headed
southbound when he lost control, slid into
the northbound lane and was struck by an
oncoming vehicle, police said. The driver of
the SUV was not hurt and will not be
ticketed and or charged, police said.
Motorcyclist wrecks bike twice in one day
- Times-Standard -
One motorcyclist was reported down on two
separate occasions Monday before being
transported to a local hospital.
Thomas Chiles, 55, of Aloha, Ore., was
driving northbound on U.S. Highway 101 at
about 2 p.m. when he failed to pass a
tractor-trailer at French's Camp and
overturned his 2001 Yamaha. He was ejected
onto the roadway and was wearing all proper
safety gear, according to a California
Highway Patrol press release.
No other vehicles were involved and Chiles
removed his motorcycle from the road to not
disrupt traffic.
Chiles refused medical attention, stating he
only had pain-type injuries, and was allowed
to drive from the scene, according to the
release.
About four hours later, Chiles lost control
of his motorcycle again at the Trinidad Rest
Area due to undetermined injuries from his
earlier collision. He was sent to Mad River
Community Hospital for observation.
Motorcycle Accident Lands Two People
In The Hospital -
WTAP-TV - Two people remain in the
hospital Wednesday morning after a
motorcycle accident just outside of Marietta
Tuesday night.
It happened shortly after 9 p.m. on State
Route 821.
Ohio Highway Patrol Sergeant Matt Boyd says
48-year-old Jack Lightfritz Jr. of Waterford
drove his motorcycle off the road,
overturned, and hit a ditch.
Sergeant Boyd says Lightfritz and his
passenger 39-year-old Delma Farmer of Lowell
were thrown from the motorcycle.
Officials say alcohol is suspected to be a
contributing factor in the crash.
Authorities say the riders were not wearing
helmets.
They were both taken the hospital.
Lightfritz is still under evaluation at
Marietta Memorial Hospital.
Farmer is still under evaluation at Grant
Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The accident remains under investigation.
Fearing and Salem Volunteer Fire Departments
also responded to the scene.
Texas motorcycle rider dies on
'Dragon' -
Maryville Daily Times - A 49-year-old
Texas woman was killed Tuesday after losing
control of her motorcycle on Calderwood
Highway and falling about 150 feet down an
embankment near the North Carolina border.
The woman was identified as Tamara Fuller
from Austin, Texas.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol
Trooper Phillip Warren, the woman was riding
south on a section of Calderwood Highway
commonly known as the "Dragon" with a friend
from Texas.
About five miles from the North Carolina
border, Fuller lost control of her
motorcycle as she exited a right-hand curve
entered into a left-hand turn.
The motorcycle crossed the center line and
went off the left side of the road, Warren
said. Fuller was apparently able to get her
motorcycle back onto the highway but, "just
never did get control back," he said.
Her motorcycle left the road on the right
side of the highway and traveled about "half
way down the mountain," Warren said,
estimating the distance to be about 150
feet.
The motorcycle continued to travel and was
found about 100 feet from the woman's body
in a creek.
According to the rider she was traveling
with, Fuller was an experienced rider,
Warren said. It did not appear that speed,
recklessness or intoxication contributed to
the accident, he said.
The Blount County Sheriff's deputies were
the first on the scene, Warren said, and
members of the Blount County Volunteer
Rescue Squad responded to help retrieve
Fuller from the mountainside. Rescue workers
were performing CPR on her as she was being
brought up the mountain, Warren said.
She was taken by Rural/Metro Ambulance
Service to Blount Memorial Hospital.
Fuller's condition at the time of her
transport was not available, but it was
later released that she had died from her
injuries.
The Blount County Fire Department also
responded to the scene.
Tuesday's traffic fatality was the fifth for
Blount County in 2009 and the second on the
"Dragon."
Indian Announces New Bikes -
Motorcycle News -
Indian Motorcycle revealed two additional
models— The Dark Horse and Bomber—to an
excited dealer network. Fifteen Indian
Motorcycle dealerships are open worldwide
and representatives from each location were
on hand for the first official dealership
meeting June 22-24.
Inspired by WWII aircraft, the Bomber is a
limited edition Chief model and will only be
available for one year. The Bomber is
available in Military Green and Silver Smoke
finishes. The pin-up girl tank artwork is
inspired by the Bomber nose art of that era.
The leather used on the seat and saddlebags
are reminiscent of the feel and color of an
old bomber jacket. The price of the Bomber
is $30,999.
The Chief Dark Horse is a dark, sinister,
mechanical looking motorcycle with a smoke
“matte” finish and is available in Thunder
Black, Indian Red and Deep Water Blue. The
colored headdress on the tank is a new twist
on the colored versions of the past. The
dark components on the bike including the
blacked out headlight, tappet blocks,
suspension, engine components, exhaust
system, and hand controls make the remaining
chrome components stand out. The Dark Horse
is priced at $27,999.
The new Classic is the entry level Chief and
is the only Chief model available with short
fenders. It features the Indian script tank
logo and is available in standard Indian Red
or Thunder Black. Optional colors are also
available in Dark Water Blue or Starlight
Silver. The price starts at $25,999.
All Chiefs feature a 105 cubic inch
PowerPlus V-Twin powertrain with electronic
closed loop sequential port fuel injection.
Engine cylinders are Nikasil plated and the
stainless stell exhaust system is an
integrated 3-way catalytic converter with
heated oxygen sensors.
A six-speed Baker transmission delivers
power through the belt drive. Stopping is
achieved via Brembo 4-piston calipers, with
11.5” dual rotors up front. Standard
5.5-gallon tank helps extend cruising range.
Seats are all-leather and built to exacting
specifications.
“We’re very excited about the new Indian
models which bring a more distinct range to
the Chief line,” said Chris Bernauer,
General Manager. “Releasing new, superior
product is a legacy that we are happy to
continue.”
Assembly takes place in Kings Mountain, NC
with an incessant emphasis on quality and
craftsmanship. For more information on
Indian Motorcycles, dealerships, apparel,
and accessories visit Indian Motorcycles.
Motorcyclist hurt in far-north Clark County
- The Columbian -
A motorcycle rider was taken to a hospital
Tuesday afternoon after he crashed along
state Highway 503 near Northeast
Hanley-Curry Road, in far-north Clark County
just south of the North Fork Lewis River.
Jeffrey Ross Gauthier, 30, of Vancouver
suffered broken bones and was taken to
Southwest Washington Medical Center,
according to a bulletin from the Washington
State Patrol.
He was listed in satisfactory condition
Tuesday night, a nursing supervisor said.
Rescuers were called to the scene about 4
p.m.
Gauthier had been driving a 2007 Honda CBR
600 motorcycle north when he failed to
negotiate a curve, went down an embankment
and crashed, the bulletin said.
Excessive speed and defective equipment
caused the crash, the patrol said. Gauthier
is to be ticketed for alleged speed too fast
for road conditions, the bulletin said.
Ban May Be Unrealistic To Enforce At Rally
- KELOLAND TV -
A challenge against the petition that would
push a statewide smoking ban to a public
vote could mean that South Dakota goes
non-smoking sooner than expected. The
signatures in question are under review in
the Secretary of State's office.
At the same time, one KELOLAND community is
gearing up for the state's biggest summer
event; the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is less
than a month away, and an immediate
enactment of the smoking ban would mean
enforcing the new rules with thousands of
visiting bikers.
The tables at the Phil Town Restaurant and
Lounge in Sturgis are easy to snag now, but
this time next month, it'll be standing room
only.
"There's pretty much non-stop activity in
here. The restaurant opens at 6 a.m. and we
stay open 'til about midnight," owner Guy
Edwards said.
Edwards says during the Sturgis Motorcycle
Rally, his business is so busy it's tough to
enforce all the rules. If a statewide
smoking ban is added to that list, he says
it'll be almost impossible to keep his
restaurant smoke free.
"I'm a non-smoker, so I really like it when
people don't smoke. I just wish people
didn't, but you know, it's a right," Edwards
said.
A right Edwards doesn't think should be up
to the state, or his business, to control.
He says if the ban is in effect in time for
this year's rally, the biggest change will
actually come to his staff's
responsibilities. Edwards says in addition
to waiting tables, they'd have to play
police.
"The only thing I can think of is my staff
will probably have to have badges and guns,"
Edwards said.
He says that may be the only way people
working in bars and restaurants will be able
to enforce a brand new smoking ban during
the upcoming bike week.
Motorcyclist killed on Uvas Road identified
- Santa Cruz Sentinel -
The Santa Clara County medical examiner's
office Tuesday identified 52-year-old Scott
Hudson as the motorcyclist killed in a fiery
collision southwest of Morgan Hill on Monday
afternoon.
Hudson was traveling north on Uvas Road,
just north of Little Uvas Road, when a
speeding Honda Accord heading south crossed
the double yellow lines and collided head-on
with Hudson at about 3:40 p.m., according to
the California Highway Patrol.
Hudson, of Los Gatos, was ejected from the
motorcycle and died at the scene.
The motorcycle burst into flames, spreading
to the Accord and then to nearby trees, the
California Highway Patrol said.
Michael Eazana, the 22-year-old driver of
the Accord, was not injured in the crash and
was arrested on suspicion of vehicular
manslaughter and booked into the Santa Clara
County jail. Eazana's passenger, a
20-year-old Morgan Hill man, also was
uninjured in the collision.
The crash closed Uvas Road for three hours
as Calfire put out the fire and the
collision was cleared.
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