California police arrest entire Hells Angels chapter in connection with kidnapping and assault investigation.
Authorities in Kern County reported that two members of an affiliated gang, which follows orders from the motorcycle club, were also implicated in the investigation.
The entire Bakersfield, California chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was arrested in connection with a probe into kidnapping, robbery, and assault, authorities announced on Tuesday. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office stated that the arrests involved five active members of the Bakersfield chapter and two members of the affiliated Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club. The Sons of Hell reportedly take orders from the Bakersfield Hells Angels.
In the operation, law enforcement seized 25 firearms, various rounds of ammunition, and gang-related items. The arrests, which occurred on Tuesday morning, were part of a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol. Authorities mentioned that the investigation is still ongoing.
Among the seven arrested, John Vaughn, 37, was already in custody on unrelated charges. The others arrested were Ricardo Alvarez, 42; Armando Villasenor, 55; Joseph Soto Sr., 57; Joseph Soto Jr., 33; Joshua Zavala, 31; and John Seeger, 57. Vaughn and Seeger are identified as members of Sons of Hell, while the others belong to the Bakersfield Hells Angels.
The suspects have not yet been formally charged. The allegations against them include kidnapping, robbery, making criminal threats, false imprisonment, assault with a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang, criminal conspiracy, intimidating a witness or victim, and elder abuse. The details of the investigation remain undisclosed as it is still in progress.
It remains unclear whether the investigation is related to a single incident or multiple crimes. Lori Meza, a spokesperson for the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, stated that details cannot be revealed at this time. There is also no information on whether the suspects have legal representation, as the Kern County public defender’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Hells Angels, founded in Fontana, California, after World War II, is designated by the U.S. Department of Justice as an outlaw motorcycle gang and criminal enterprise. The gang has a notorious history, including violent incidents such as the 1969 Altamont concert attacks, a complicated relationship with author Hunter S. Thompson, and a deadly clash with the rival Mongols gang in Laughlin, Nevada, in 2002. Federal authorities allege that the gang has long been involved in drug and firearms trafficking.
