Operation Black Rain

Operation Black Rain was an operation by the ATF in 2008 to stop alleged criminal activity within the Mongols Motorcycle Club.^[1]

Background

As part of the operation, four agents became patched members of the club. In the end, a large indictment was issued to over 50 members, including senior leaders of the club.

Outcome

Operation Black Rain resulted in the arrest of 38 members of the Mongols motorcycle club, including the club's president, Ruben "Doc" Cavazos. Federal authorities also served over 160 search warrants in California, Ohio, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon. A total of 110 arrest warrants were carried out in the operation. Initially, the US government also issued a court order to prohibit the use of the Mongols MC logo and emblem, so the traditional Mongols symbols ^[2] could no longer be worn. However, in a ruling issued on September 21, 2010, Federal District Judge Otis D. Wright declared that the U.S. Government cannot seize the name and patch of the club.^[3]

Media coverage

The television show America's Most Wanted had exclusive access to the operation, and broadcast behind-the-scenes footage of the many arrests.

Charges

The club president Ruben Cavazos and others pleaded guilty to the racketeering charge and Cavazos faces up to 20 years in prison along with the others arrested. Cavazos was later voted out of the club by its members on August 30, 2008.^[4]

See also

• Mongols MC

References

1. ^ October 21, 2008. ATF Seattle Executes Numerous Search and Arrest Warrants in Operation Black Rain from Reuters.com
2. ^ October 22, 2008. Raid targets Mongols motorcycle gang from Los Angeles Times.
3. ^ January 10, 2010. Mongols Win Case Again from The Aging Rebel.
4. ^ July 7, 2009  (2009-07-07). "Mongols ex-leader pleads guilty to racketeering, faces 20 years in prison - latimes.com". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/mongols-exleader-pleads-guilty-to-racketeering-faces-20-years.html. Retrieved 2011-10-10.