Racketeering charges dropped against men tied to Vagos biker gang, including 4 Californians
AP April 15, 2020
LAS VEGAS A long and troubled federal prosecution in Nevada of current and former Vagos biker gang members from California and other states accused of running an international criminal enterprise and killing a rival Hells Angels leader in a 2011 casino shootout is over.
U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro in Las Vegas approved a government request Monday to dismiss all charges against 11 remaining defendants, closing the federal racketeering case filed in September 2016 after a state court conviction of the Vagos member who acknowledges he was the shooter was overturned by the Nevada Supreme Court. <>
In February, the jury returned acquittals on all charges against defendants including Pastor Fausto Palafox, former international president of the Vagos Motorcycle Club, which was founded in San Bernardino in the 1960s; and acknowledged Vagos gunman Ernesto Manuel Gonzalez.
This case was precipitated on lies, said Joshua Tomsheck, lawyer for defendant Paul Voll, who was awaiting trial with a second group of defendants. Tomsheck called the result a vindication.
Attorney Chris Rasmussen noted that his client, John Siemer, spent three years in federal custody after pleading not guilty and was never brought to trial. Rasmussen called the dismissal a momentous ending to a long saga.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich said his office sought to end the case in the interest of justice. <>