Bandidos Motorcycle Club

International outlaw motorcycle club

Bandidos MC

Abbreviation|

* BMC
* Bandido Nation[1]

Founded| March 4, 1966; 58 years ago (1966-03-04)[2]
Founder| Donald Chambers[2]
Founded at| San Leon, Texas, United States[2]
Type| Outlaw motorcycle club
Headquarters| Houston, Texas, United States[3]

Region

| Worldwide (303 chapters in 22 countries)[4]
Membership| 2,000–2,500[5]
Website| www.bandidosmc.com

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Bandido Nation,[1] is an outlaw motorcycle club with a worldwide membership.[6][7][8] Formed in San Leon, Texas, in 1966, the Bandidos MC is estimated to have between 2,000 and 2,500 members[5] and 303 chapters located in 22 countries,[4] making it the second-largest motorcycle club in the world behind the Hells Angels.[9]

Numerous law enforcement and international intelligence agencies classify the Bandidos as an organized crime syndicate.[10][11]

## History

[edit]

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club was founded by 36-year-old dockworker Donald Eugene Chambers on March 4, 1966, in San Leon, Texas.[12] Chambers named the club in honor of the Mexican bandits who lived by their own rules, and he recruited members from biker bars locally in Houston as well as in Corpus Christi, Galveston, and San Antonio.[12] Like other outlaw motorcycle clubs, they call themselves "one percenters", a phrase coined by the former president of the American Motorcyclist Association who once stated that 99 percent of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens and 1 percent "outlaws".[12] By the early 1970s, the club had over one hundred members, including many Vietnam War veterans.[12]

Ronald Jerome Hodge took over from Chambers as the Bandidos' president in 1972. Hodge was nicknamed "Mr. Prospect" because of the short amount of time in which he was awarded his club membership, and he later became known as "Step Mother" in deference to Chambers' moniker "Mother".[13] Under Hodge's leadership, the Bandidos became an international motorcycle club when the first foreign chapter was established in Sydney, Australia in 1983. The Australian branch was founded by Anthony Mark Spencer, who had previously encountered Bandidos members during a visit to the United States.[14] Hodge was sentenced to five years in prison in December 1988 for conspiring to bomb homes and automobiles belonging to members of a rival club, and he died of heart disease in 1992.[15][12]

In 1989, the club was established in Europe when a chapter was formed in Marseille, France.[16] Subsequent expansion into the Nordic countries in the 1990s led to a violent feud with the Hells Angels.[17] The third Bandidos international president, James Edward Lang, as well as his successor, Charles Craig Johnston, were each sentenced to ten years' imprisonment on drug charges in November 1998.[18] George Wegers, who served as international president between 1998 and 2005, was convicted of racketeering charges in October 2006.[19]

The Bandidos embarked on a failed endeavour to establish themselves in Canada after merging with the Montreal-based Rock Machine Motorcycle Club in 2000.[20] The Bandidos ceded Quebec to the Hells Angels at the conclusion of the province's deadliest biker war in 2003.[21] In 2007, the Bandidos' Canadian chapters went defunct following the internal Shedden massacre.[22]

According to the club's website, the Bandidos' Western Hemisphere chapters became autonomous from the international chapters in Europe and Australia on July 17, 2007.[23] The American chapters began wearing a redesigned patch in 2011.[24]

## Insignia

[edit]

"Expect No Mercy"

The Bandidos' insignia, known as the "Fat Mexican", consists of a caricature of a Mexican bandit wearing a sombrero and holding a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other.[25] The design is credited to the club's founder, Donald Chambers.[26] The "Fat Mexican" bears a resemblance to the Frito Bandito – a cartoon mascot of the Fritos corn chips brand – and according to Bandidos lore, Chambers took the club's name and logo from the mascot.[27] However, the Frito Bandito was not developed until 1967, the year after the Bandidos' foundation.[26] In addition to the "Fat Mexican" and diamond-shaped "1%er" emblems, club members also wear other patches on leather or denim vests – known as "colors". These patches consist of red lettering displayed on a gold background. The Bandidos' color scheme was inspired by that of the United States Marine Corps and chosen by Chambers, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.[5] Patches denoting a member's rank and chapter are worn, as are various other patches which have specific meanings. Although the particular meaning of each patch is not publicly known, various law enforcement agencies have identified Bandidos patches which they believe are related to criminal activity.[28] For example, police have reported that the "Expect No Mercy" patch is awarded to those who have committed murder on behalf of the club, while the "TCB" ("Taking Care of Business") patch is worn by club officers and nomads. Similar to the "Expect No Mercy" patch, the "CDG" ("Coup de Grâce") patch reportedly signifies a member who has committed a significant act of violence.[29]

The Bandidos' mottos include "Cut one, we all bleed",[9] "God forgives, Bandidos don't",[1] "Our colors don't run"[30] and "We are the people our parents warned us about".[31] Another, more generic, saying of the club is "Bandidos forever, forever Bandidos" ("BFFB").[32]

## Membership

[edit]

Bandidos members must be male[33] and own at least one Harley-Davidson motorcycle (although other American-made motorcycles can also be allowed).[34] Prospective members must undertake a three-stage process before being initiated, beginning as a "hangaround", before becoming a "prospect" and then "probation". The length of this process is decided by each chapter president, and ends when the chapter's members vote unanimously to allow the probationary member to enter the club. A screening process is carried out to prevent infiltration by law enforcement. Upon joining the Bandidos, each member must sign their motorcycle over to the club.[34]

Each club chapter follows a structured hierarchy, with a president, vice-president, sergeant-at-arms, road captain and secretary/treasurer. Members must abide by various by-laws, such as not wearing the club patch while riding in a car or truck, and are required to attend meetings (known as "Church") four times per month.[35] These rules also dictate that any member who fails to attend mandatory group motorcycle rides is fined and must forfeit the title of his motorcycle.[36] Another requirement is that Bandidos must follow the philosophy "All members are your brothers and your family", and must "not fear authority and have a general disdain for the rules of society". Any member who cooperates with law enforcement, for example, is susceptible to disciplinary action. All Bandidos regalia, including tattoos, is considered club property. Membership fees are required, and are used to cover club expenses, such as funeral costs, and contribute to a legal defense fund.[34] Club bylaws state that any member who commits suicide will not receive a Bandidos funeral.[37]

The Bandidos have an estimated membership of between 2,000 and 2,500 worldwide.[5] In the United States, the majority of the club consists of white and Hispanic males.[12]

## Organization

[edit]

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club is organized by local chapters, with state and regional officers, as well as a national chapter made up of four regional vice-presidents and a national president. The leadership of the club consists of an international president, known as "El Presidente", who has authority over every club chapter.[35] The club also has Nomad chapters, made up of members not bound by geographical location, which are responsible for security, counterintelligence and internal discipline.[35][38] The Bandidos' "mother chapter" is based in Houston, Texas.[3]

The club has 303 chapters worldwide, located in twenty-two countries in North America, Oceania, Europe and Asia.[4]

### North America

[edit]

The United States is home to 93 Bandidos chapters, located in sixteen states.[5] The club is concentrated in Texas[39] but extends into Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Washington and Oklahoma.[40] The Bandidos incorporated in Texas as a non-profit organization in 1978. The club has subsequently incorporated in other states, including Washington and Alabama.[41]

The Bandidos expanded into Canada following a merger with the Rock Machine Motorcycle Club in Quebec in 2000. After establishing further chapters in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba, the club's operations in Canada ceased in November 2007 as a result of infighting, law enforcement efforts, and pulled status from the club's American leadership.[42]

In 2004, the Bandidos formed a chapter in Costa Rica.[43]

### Oceania

[edit]

The first Australian chapter was formed in 1983, in Sydney, by former members of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club.[44] The club has since expanded substantially in Australia and there are forty-five Bandidos chapters throughout the country.[45]

The Bandidos have a small but growing presence in New Zealand after a rocky start in 2012.[46][47] They claim to have more than a dozen patched members and prospects in the Christchurch area.[48]

### Europe

[edit]

Bandidos clubhouse in Bochum, Germany.

There are approximately ninety Bandidos chapters in Europe.[49] The first European chapter opened in Marseille in France in 1989.[50] This was followed by expansion into the Nordic countries, with branches being established in Denmark in 1993,[51] Sweden in 1994,[52] and Finland and Norway in 1995.[53][54]

The German department of the Bandidos was chartered in 2000.[55] Chapters were then founded in Italy in 2001[56] and on the Channel Islands in 2003.[57]

The Bandidos formed its first chapter in the Netherlands in 2014. The club was prohibited in the country in 2017, however.[58]

In recent years the club has also expanded heavily into Spain, Belgium, Estonia, Greece, England and Ireland. Additionally, it is reportedly considering establishing a presence in Russia and Eastern Europe.[59][60]

### Asia

[edit]

In 2001, the Bandidos were established in Thailand via a merger with the Diablos Motorcycle Club in Pattaya. The club further expanded to Malaysia and Singapore in 2006.[61]

### Support clubs

[edit]

Main article: List of Bandidos MC support clubs

Like other major motorcycle clubs,[62][63][64] the Bandidos also have a number of "support" clubs.[6][65][66][67] These groups usually wear reverse colors (gold border with red background rather than the Bandidos' red-border–and–gold background). They also commonly wear a unique patch (known as the "Heart Patch") consisting of a round patch in Bandidos colors on the front upper left of the colors (vest), as worn by the member. Most of these clubs are regional.[68][69]

## Criminal allegations and incidents

[edit]

Main article: Bandidos MC criminal allegations and incidents

The United States Department of Justice, the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, Europol and the Australian Federal Police consider the Bandidos to be a criminal organization.[70][11][71][72] Law enforcement agencies in the United States also identify the Bandidos as one of the "big four" motorcycle gangs, along with the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Pagans, and contend that the club is responsible for organized crime activity such as drug dealing, arms trafficking, prostitution, extortion, money laundering and murder.[73][10] In Australia, the Bandidos are included among the "big six", with the Hells Angels, the Comanchero, the Finks, the Mongols and the Rebels.[74][75]

While individual chapters had previously been banned in Germany, the Netherlands became the first country to prohibit the club as a whole in December 2017 when a court in Utrecht outlawed both the Dutch department of the Bandidos and the international organization on the grounds that the club forms a threat to public order.[76]

## See also

[edit]

* List of outlaw motorcycle clubs

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c God Forgives, Bandidos Don't Crikey (May 2, 2006) Archived December 7, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ a b c Law agencies prep, keep watch, as outlaw biker club rides in for holiday weekend Mori Kessler, stgeorgeutah.com (August 27, 2013) Archived March 24, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ a b "Bandidos Motorcycle Club". Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2020.bandidosmcunitedstates.com
4. ^ a b c "Number of Hells Angels charters and Bandidos chapters worldwide". Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2020.Statista (May 24, 2012)
5. ^ a b c d e Bandidos: 5 things to know about second-most dangerous motorcycle gang Jessica Durando, USA Today (May 19, 2015) Archived May 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
6. ^ a b Barker, Tom (September 2005). "One percent bikers clubs: A description". Trends in Organized Crime. 9 (1): 101–112. doi:10.1007/s12117-005-1005-0. S2CID 144003167. "Puppet Clubs. In addition to the Big 5 and the Independent clubs, there are also "support" clubs that do the bidding of the larger clubs, act as potential recruiting sources, serve as cannon fodder in the wars between clubs, and give a portion of their illegal gains to the larger club. The Red Devils MC is well known as a support club for the HAMC as are the Black Pistons MC as a support club for the Outlaws. The Outlaw Nation and the Bandido Nation list their support clubs on their national websites."
7. ^ 2003 Annual Report Organized Crime in Canada (PDF). Crime Intelligence Service Canada. 2003. ISBN 0-662-67479-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-12-18.
8. ^ "FBI and DEA arrest top Bandidos Motorcycle Leaders in San Antonio, Houston". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
9. ^ a b "How the Bandidos became one of the world's most feared biker gangs". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Michael E. Miller, The Washington Post (May 18, 2015)
10. ^ a b "2005 National Gang Threat Assessment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-12-22. National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association (2005)
11. ^ a b "Outlaw motorcycle gangs". Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Europol
12. ^ a b c d e f "Texas Monthly: "The Gang's All Here" by Skip Hollansworth". 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015. APRIL 2007
13. ^ "History". Archived from the original on 2020-07-25. Retrieved 2020-11-21. BandidosMC.eu
14. ^ "Milperra - the spark that started the bikie violence". Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Paul Kent, The Daily Telegraph (11 April 2009)
15. ^ "Explosives Incidents Report". 1988. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (1988)
16. ^ "Rockerclubs in Berlin". 11 February 2008. Berliner Morgenpost (11 February 2008)
17. ^ "Biker wars dredge up something rotten in the state of Denmark". Independent.co.uk. 11 May 1996. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Sarah Helm, The Independent (12 May 1996)
18. ^ "Leader of bike gang gets 5 years". Archived from the original on 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2020-11-21. San Antonio Express-News (November 4, 1998)
19. ^ Johnson, Gene (2006). "Bandidos Leader Sentenced to 20 Months". FoxNews.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
20. ^ "Bandidos abandon Canadian expansion". The Toronto Star. 18 October 2007. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Peter Edwards, Toronto Star (18 October 2007)
21. ^ Edwards 2010, p. 126.
22. ^ Hells Angels under pressure as outlaw motorcycle clubs from across the globe expand into Canada Adrian Humphreys, National Post (6 June 2015)
23. ^ "USA Based Motorcycle Clubs kicking out or shutting down chapters overseas. Was it smart expanding into different countries in the first place?". Insane Throttle. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. HarleyLiberty.com (May 15, 2018)
24. ^ Contreras, Guillermo (7 April 2018). "Ex-Bandido says national president kicked predecessor out over TV interview". Mysa. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News (April 6, 2018)
25. ^ Bosmia, Anand N.; Quinn, James F.; Peterson, Todd B.; Griessenauer, Christoph J.; Tubbs, R. Shane (July 2014). "Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs: Aspects of the One-Percenter Culture for Emergency Department Personnel to Consider". Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 15 (4): 523–528. doi:10.5811/westjem.2014.2.17919. PMC 4100862. PMID 25035762.
26. ^ a b "Are the Bandidos Named After A Corn Chip Mascot?". 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Amrita Khalid, Bustle (May 19, 2015)
27. ^ "12 facts about the biker gangs involved in the Twin Peaks shooting". 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Joshua Fechter, San Antonio Express-News (May 18, 2015)
28. ^ "Ein Bandido packt aus". 6 November 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Melanie Pothman, Westfälische Rundschau (6 November 2009)
29. ^ "Polisen: Det betyder märkena på Bandidosvästarna". 17 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Sandra Divinyi, Göteborgs-Posten (17 June 2016)
30. ^ "Who Are The Bandidos?". 16 June 2006. Archived from the original on 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2020-11-21. CityNews (16 June 2006)
31. ^ Schiller, Dane (7 June 2015). "'We are the people our parents warned us about'". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Dane Schiller, Houston Chronicle (June 6, 2015)
32. ^ "The Gang's All Here". 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Skip Hollandsworth, Texas Monthly (April 2007)
33. ^ "Can Women Join Motorcycle Clubs?". 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Abby Johnston, Bustle (May 21, 2015)
34. ^ a b c "20 Rules The Bandidos Make Their Members Follow". 3 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Andre Nalin, TheThings.com (September 3, 2019)
35. ^ a b c "The Infamous 'One Percenters': A Review of the Criminality, Subculture, and Structure of Modern Biker Gangs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Danielle Shields (2012)
36. ^ Schiller, Dane (8 January 2016). "Federal indictment details life, self-law of Bandidos". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Dane Schiller, Houston Chronicle (January 7, 2016)
37. ^ Caine, Alex (2 August 2011). The Fat Mexican. ReadHowYouWant.com. ISBN 9781459624801. Alex Caine (2009)
38. ^ "Into The Abyss: A Personal Journey into the World of Street Gangs". Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Mike Carlie, Missouri State University (2002)
39. ^ "Waco biker shoot-out: Facts about the Bandidos and the Cossacks motorcycle gangs". BBC News. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Newsbeat (18 May 2015)
40. ^ "Outlaw motorcycle gangs – USA overview" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2020-11-21. National Institute of Justice (1991)
41. ^ Understanding Organized Crime p. 186, Stephen L. Mallory (2006) Archived August 5, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
42. ^ "Hells Angels under pressure as outlaw motorcycle clubs from across the globe expand into Canada". Nationalpost. Adrian Humphreys, National Post (6 June 2015)
43. ^ Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Expand Throughout Costa Rica Jaime Lopez, The Costa Rica Star (December 24, 2013) Archived December 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
44. ^ James Morton, Susanna Lobez (2010). Dangerous to Know: An Australasian Crime Compendium. Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 978-0-522-85681-1.
45. ^ "Australian Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs & their Territories". 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Rhys McKay, Who (27 March 2019)
46. ^ "Notorious gangs eye up Christchurch". The Press. 7 August 2013. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
47. ^ ""Bad News travels fast - back to prison"". 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015., 15/07/2012, stuff.co.nz
48. ^ ""Christchurch gangs face police scrutiny"". 14 December 2014. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015., 15/12/2014, BLAIR ENSOR, stuff.co.nz
49. ^ "Biker club 'in Channel Islands'". 19 October 2007. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. BBC News (19 October 2007)
50. ^ "Les bikers vers une nouvelle guerre". 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-07-24. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Alain Lallemand, Le Soir (12 November 2014)
51. ^ "Two killed in rocket attack in escalating biker gang violence". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2020-11-21. The Irish Times (7 October 1996)
52. ^ "Sweden Democrats oust former biker gang boss". November 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2020-11-21. The Local (1 November 2014)
53. ^ "Bandidoksen Suomen johtajan ampunut mies pääsee vankilasta vapaaksi". 9 March 2017. Asta Tenhunen, Savon Sanomat (9 March 2017)
54. ^ "Politiet åpent til stede på Bandidos-jubileum". 22 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Aftenposten (22 October 2010)
55. ^ "Motorradclubs und ihre Unterstützer". 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. Berliner Morgenpost (24 November 2008)
56. ^ "Les Gangs de Motards Criminalisés: Une expansion internationale". Archived from the original on 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Xavier Raufer, Institut de Criminologie de Paris
57. ^ "Inside the biker gangs: the truth about guns, drugs and organised crime". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2020-11-21. Belfast Telegraph (4 July 2008)
58. ^ "Court bans Dutch arm of Bandidos motorcycle gang". Belfasttelegraph. Belfast Telegraph (20 December 2017)
59. ^ Walter Roberts. Biker Gangs. RW Press. pp. 10–. ISBN 978-1-909284-06-7.
60. ^ Ronald M. Holmes; Richard Tewksbury; George Higgins (2 December 2011). Introduction to Gangs in America. CRC Press. pp. 86–. ISBN 978-1-4398-6945-1.
61. ^ "History". Archived from the original on 2020-07-25. Retrieved 2020-11-21. BMCAsia.com
62. ^ Caine, Alex (2009). Befriend and Betray: Infiltrating the Hells Angels, Bandidos and Other Criminal Brotherhoods. Macmillan. p. 187\. ISBN 978-0-312-53719-7. "The first Canadian Hells Angels chapter opened in Montreal in 1977, and the gang has dominated the province's biker scene ever since. By the early 1990s, however, domination was no longer enough -- they wanted to be the only game in town. At least in Montreal, the province's biggest city and home to pretty much half its population. So, with several support gangs as their foot soldiers, les Hells, as they're known, began a brutal campaign to monopolize the drugs business, especially the big money-maker: cocaine."
63. ^ Cherry, Paul (2005). The Biker Trials: Bringing Down the Hells Angels. ECW Press. p. 213\. ISBN 978-1-55022-638-6. "'Every affiliated group has a godfather,' Sirois told the cops in describing how Hells' Angels' puppet gangs like the Rockers, the Jokers, and the Rowdy Crew worked."
64. ^ Hazlehurst, Cameron (1998). Gangs and youth subcultures: international explorations. Transaction Publishers. p. 18\. ISBN 978-1-56000-363-2. "In Denmark, where outlaw motorcycle gangs have fought for control of the east European drug market, Hell's Angels use associates and candidates for 'dirty work' (Devlin 1992: 86). Elsewhere they are known to use 'puppet clubs' (Campbell 1993: 5)."
65. ^ "2005 National Gang Threat Assessment" (PDF). Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice.: 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2005. "All of the major OMGs have support clubs that serve as a recruitment source and as foot soldiers in conducting criminal activities. The Hells Angels' principal support club is the Red Devils, the Outlaws have the Black Pistons. The Pagans have the Tribe and the Blitzkrieg and Thunderguards (in Maryland). The Bandidos have several support clubs, including the Amigos, Pistoleros, LA Riders, Hombres, and Hermanos." `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
66. ^ Mallory, Stephen L. (2007). Understanding Organized Crime. Jones & Bartlett Publisher. p. 168\. ISBN 978-0-7637-4108-2. "OMGs [outlaw motorcycle gangs] control their networks by violence and intimidation of members, rivals, and potential witnesses. A current trend among OMGs is the employment of puppet clubs to conduct the criminal activity for the sponsor club. In Mississippi, the Pistoleros MC has seven chapters that are associated with the Bandidos. These puppet clubs take most of the risk and return most of the profits to the more powerful OMG members. This trend, along with the trend of Mafia associations, has allowed the OMG to expand their influence and become more diverse in both their legal and illegal enterprises."
67. ^ "About Violent Gangs - Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs". US Dept. of Justice. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. "The Bandidos are most active in the Pacific, Southeastern, Southwestern and the West Central regions of the U.S. The Bandidos are expanding in each of these regions by forming additional chapters and allowing members of supporting clubs who have sworn allegiance to another club but who support and do the "dirty work" of a mother club–to form new or join existing Bandidos chapters." `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
68. ^ "A m i g o s M C". A m i g o s M C. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
69. ^ "Hombres MC • Seattle • Wash • Chapter - WELCOME". Hombresmc.net. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
70. ^ "Motorcycle gang". U.S. Department of Justice. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
71. ^ "2004 Annual Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-22. Retrieved 2020-11-21.\- Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, cisc.gc.ca
72. ^ AFP targets outlaw motorcycle gangs in South-East Asia Australian Federal Police (July 11, 2022) Archived July 10, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
73. ^ "FBI 2013 National Gang Intelligence Center report". Archived from the original on 2020-11-22. Retrieved 2020-11-21. fbi.gov (2013)
74. ^ By their colours: Outlaw motorcycle gang identification guide Australian Broadcasting Corporation (October 4, 2013) Archived October 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
75. ^ Victoria bikies: all you need to know about Big Six outlaw gangs Anthony Dowsley, Herald Sun (July 7, 2022) Archived June 12, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
76. ^ "Dutch court bans motorcycle gang Bandidos". Janene Pieters, NL Times (20 December 2017)

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Searching For My Identity (Volume 1): The Chronological Evolution Of A Troubled Adolescent To Outlaw Biker, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-9858817-0-7
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Searching For My Identity (Volume 2): The Chronological Evolution Of An Outlaw Biker On The Road To Redemption, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-9858817-1-4
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Recherche De Mon Identité (Volume 1): L'évolution Chronologique D'un Adolescent Troublé Au Motard Hors-la-loi, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-4325327-5-6
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Recherche De Mon Identité (Volume 2): L'évolution Chronologique D'un Motard Hors-la-loi Sur La Route De La Rédemption, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-4344327-6-4
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Auf Der Suche Nach Meiner Identität (Band 1): Die Chronologische Entwicklung Eines Schwierigen Jugendlichen Zum Outlaw Biker, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-4369578-5-2
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Auf Der Suche Nach Meiner Identität (Band 2): Die Chronologische Entwicklung Eines Outlaw Biker Auf Dem Weg Zur Vergebung, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-4389003-4-4
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Buscando Mi Identidad (Volumen 1): La Evolución Cronológica De Un Adolescente Con Problemas A Un Motociclista Fuera De La Ley, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-4413435-4-1
* Winterhalder, Edward (2022), Buscando Mi Identidad (Volumen 2): La Evolución Cronológica De Un Motociclista Fuera De La Ley En El Camino Hacia La Redención, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-4450765-6-8
* Winterhalder, Edward (2024), 自分の正体を求めて (第1巻): 悩み多き青少年からアウトロー・バイカーへの年表的進化, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-3260308-3-2
* Winterhalder, Edward (2024), 自分の正体を求めて (第2巻): 贖罪への道を歩むアウトロー・バイカーの経時的進化, Blockhead City, ISBN 979-8-3264762-4-1
* Winterhalder, Edward; De Clercq, Wil (2008), The Assimilation: Rock Machine Become Bandidos - Bikers United Against the Hells Angels, ECW Press, ISBN 978-1-55022-824-3
* Winterhalder, Edward (2006), Out in Bad Standings: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club - the Making of a Worldwide Dynasty, Blockhead City Press, ISBN 0-9771747-0-0
* Edwards, Peter (2010). The Bandido Massacre; A True Story of Bikers, Brotherhood and Betrayal. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978-1-55468-044-3.
* Coulthart, Ross; McNab, Duncan (2008). Dead Man Running: An Insider's Story on One of the World's Most Feared Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, the Bandidos. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74175-463-6.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bandidos.

* Bandidos MC Worldwide Website

* v
* t
* e

Bandidos Motorcycle Club

Members|

* Marcello Aravena
* Colin "Caesar" Campbell
* Donald Chambers
* Rudi Heinz Elten
* Jamie Flanz
* Brett Gardiner
* M.H.
* Claus Bork Hansen
* Lars Harnes
* Marko Hirsma
* Jan Krogh Jensen
* George Jessome
* Wayne Kellestine
* George Kriarakis
* Mickey Borgfjord Larsen
* Frank Lenti
* Michael Ljunggren
* Frank Mather
* Philip McElwaine
* Giovanni Muscedere
* Dwight Mushey
* Michael Sandham
* Anthony Spencer
* Jim Tinndahn
* Edward Winterhalder

Events|

* Careaga family murders
* Milperra massacre
* Nordic Biker War
* Copenhagen Airport shooting
* Copenhagen rocket attack
* Drammen bombing
* Quebec Biker War
* Shedden massacre
* Waco shootout

Support clubs|

* List of support clubs
* Chicanos
* Diablos
* X-Team

Media|

* Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms

Other|

* Criminal allegations and incidents
* in Australia
* in Denmark
* in the United States

* v
* t
* e

Outlaw motorcycle clubs

Clubs|

* Annihilators
* Bacchus
* Bandidos
* Black Diamond Riders
* Black Pistons
* Black Uhlans
* Blue Angels
* Breed
* Brother Speed
* Bullshit
* Cannonball
* Chicanos
* Chosen Few
* Club Deroes
* Coffin Cheaters
* Comanchero
* Cossacks
* Devils Diciples
* Devil's Disciples (Canada)
* Diablos
* Diablos (1999)
* Dirty Dozen
* East Bay Dragons
* El Forastero
* Finks
* Free Souls
* Galloping Goose
* Gate Keepers
* Gitans
* Gremium
* Grim Reapers (Canada)
* Grim Reapers (USA)
* Gypsy Jokers
* Head Hunters
* Hells Angels
* Hell's Lovers
* Hessians
* Highway 61
* Highwaymen
* Iron Horsemen
* Kinfolk
* Kings Crew
* Lone Legion Brotherhood
* Loners
* Lost Breed
* Market Street Commandos
* Mobshitters
* Mongols
* Night Wolves
* No Surrender
* Nomads
* Notorious (Australia)
* Notorious (Germany)
* Original Red Devils
* Outlaws
* Pagans
* Pissed off Bastards
* Popeyes
* Rebels
* Rebels (Canada)
* Red Devils
* Road Knights
* Road Rats
* Road Runners
* Rock Machine
* Rockers
* Sadistic Souls
* Satan's Choice
* Satans Slaves
* Satudarah
* Sin City Deciples
* Solo Angeles
* Sons of Satan
* Sons of Silence
* Tribesmen
* Trust
* Vagos
* Vendettas
* Warlocks (Florida)
* Warlocks (Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley)
* Wheels of Soul
* Zulus

Members|

* Larry Amero
* Necati Arabaci
* Marcello Aravena
* David Atwell
* Sonny Barger
* Harry Paul Barnes
* Brian Beaucage
* Howard Doyle Berry
* Merv Blaker
* Maurice Boucher
* Phillip Boudreault
* Harry Bowman
* Willem van Boxtel
* Mark Buddle
* Yves Buteau
* Colin "Caesar" Campbell
* Lorne Campbell
* David Carroll
* Ruben Cavazos
* Giovanni Cazzetta
* Salvatore Cazzetta
* Donald Chambers
* Patrick Champoux
* George Christie
* Gary Comeau
* Ion Croitoru
* Michel Dubé
* Rudi Heinz Elten
* Frédéric Faucher
* Alan Fisher
* Jamie Flanz
* Stéphane Gagné
* Brett Gardiner
* Steven Gault
* Mark Guardado
* Bernie Guindon
* Harley Davidson Guindon
* M.H.
* Louis Hagemann
* Normand Hamel
* Frank Hanebuth
* Claus Bork Hansen
* Lars Harnes
* Mick Hawi
* Peter John Hill
* Marko Hirsma
* David George Hoffman
* Larry Hurren
* Jan Krogh Jensen
* George Jessome
* Renaud Jomphe
* Wayne Kellestine
* Cecil Kirby
* Sam Klepper
* George Kriarakis
* Michel Langlois
* Mickey Borgfjord Larsen
* Frank Lenti
* Réjean Lessard
* Steven Lindsay
* Michael Ljunggren
* David Mann
* Frank Mather
* Gilles Mathieu
* Philip McElwaine
* Garnet McEwen
* Jeff McLeod
* Allan Meehan
* Thomas Möller
* Mich Murray
* Giovanni Muscedere
* Dwight Mushey
* Duax Ngakuru
* Bent Svane Nielsen
* Jørn Nielsen
* Jim Nolan
* Michael O'Farrell
* Mario Parente
* Anthony Perish
* Donny Petersen
* Michael Plante
* Johnny Plescio
* Paul Porter
* Jock Ross
* Louis Roy
* Michael Sandham
* Armand Sanguigni
* Richard Sauvé
* Martin Schippert
* Robert Simon
* Anthony Spencer
* Walter Stadnick
* Scott Steinert
* Donald Stockford
* Anthony Tait
* Jim Tinndahn
* Yves Trudeau
* Richard Vallée
* Alex Vella
* Claude Vézina
* Gerald Ward
* Edward Winterhalder
* Gregory Woolley
* Gordon van Haarlem
* Paul de Vries
* Tarek Zahed
* Chuck Zito

Events|

* Altamont Free Concert
* Battersea Arts Centre incident
* First Biker War
* First Montreal biker war
* Hancock case
* Hollister riot
* Grondalski family murders
* Lennoxville massacre
* Milperra massacre
* Murder of Cynthia Garcia
* National Western Complex shootout
* Nordic Biker War
* Copenhagen Airport shooting
* Copenhagen rocket attack
* Drammen bombing
* Ontario Biker War
* Port Hope 8 case
* Quebec Biker War
* River Run riot
* Shedden massacre
* Rock Machine–Rebels conflict
* Waco shootout

Law enforcement|

* Bob Armstrong
* André Bouchard
* Jay Dobyns
* Terry Hall
* John Harris
* Bob Paulson
* William Queen

See also|

* Colors
* Nomad chapter
* List of clubs
* List of club conflicts
* Outlaw biker film

* v
* t
* e

Organized crime groups in the United States

African-American|

* 31 Gang
* 39ers gang
* Bailey Boys
* Black Disciples
* Black Guerrilla Family
* Black Mafia
* Junior Black Mafia
* Black Mafia Family
* Black P. Stone Nation
* Bloods
* Black Spades
* Bloods
* Black P. Stones
* Bounty Hunter Watts Bloods
* Cedar Block Piru
* Crenshaw Mafia Gangster Bloods
* Elm Street Piru
* Fruit Town Piru
* Mob Piru
* Nine Trey Gangsters
* Pirus
* Sex Money Murder
* Tree Top Piru
* United Blood Nation
* Byrd Gang
* CBL/BFL
* Chambers Brothers
* The Council
* Crips
* Grape Street Watts Crips
* Kelly Park Compton Crips
* Nutty Blocc Compton Crips
* Rollin' 30s Harlem Crips
* Rollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips
* Rollin' 90s Neighborhood Crips
* South Side Compton Crips
* Venice Shoreline Crips
* D-Block Boys
* D.C. Blacks
* The Family
* Four Corner Hustlers
* Fruit Belt Gang
* Gangster Disciples
* OutLaw Gangster Disciples
* Hidden Valley Kings
* KUMI 415
* Lenox Street Boys
* LRGP
* Lucerne Street Doggz
* Metz Gang
* Miami Boys
* Mickey Cobras
* Orchard Park Trailblazers
* Savage Nomads
* Schuele Boys
* Somali Outlaws
* Supreme Team
* Vice Lord Nation
* Westmob
* Young Boys Inc.

East and
Southeast Asian|

* Asian Boyz (Southeast Asian)
* Bahala Na Gang (Filipino)
* Born To Kill (Vietnamese)
* Fullerton Boys (Korean)
* Menace of Destruction (Hmong)
* Satanas (Filipino)
* Tiny Rascal Gang (primarily Cambodian)
* Tokyo Boyz (Japanese)
* Yakuza (Japanese)

Chinese and
Chinese-American|

* Bamboo Union
* Big Circle Gang
* Black Dragons
* Chung Ching Yee
* Flying Dragons
* Four Seas Gang
* Fujianese organized crime
* Snakeheads
* Ghost Shadows
* Jackson Street Boys
* Ping On
* Tongs
* Bing Kong
* Four Brothers
* Hip Sing
* Hop Sing
* On Leong
* Suey Sing
* Ying On
* Triads
* 14K
* Sun Yee On
* Wo Hop To
* Wah Ching
* White Tigers

Hispanic and
Latin American|

* 10th Street Gang (primarily Hispanic, also African-Americans)
* 7th Street Gang
* Almighty Saints (primarily Hispanic, also Whites)
* Barrio Azteca (Mexican)
* The Corporation (Cuban)
* Dominicans Don't Play
* Fresno Bulldogs (Mexican)
* Ghetto Brothers
* Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (primarily Mexican)
* Jheri Curls (Dominican)
* La Raza Nation (Mexican)
* Latin Counts (Mexican)
* Latin Eagles
* Latin Kings (Mexican / Puerto Rican)
* Maniac Latin Disciples
* Marielitos (Cuban)
* Mexican Mafia
* Mexikanemi
* MS-13 (Central American)
* Ñetas (Puerto Rican)
* Norteños (Mexican)
* Nuestra Familia (Mexican)
* Puro Tango Blast (Mexican)
* Savage Skulls
* Los Solidos
* Spanish Cobras
* Spanish Gangster Disciples
* Sureños (Mexican)
* 18th Street gang
* 38th Street gang
* Avenues
* Azusa 13
* Barriox13
* Culver City Boys
* El Monte Flores
* Florencia 13
* Logan Heights Gang
* OVS
* Playboys
* Puente 13
* Santa Monica 13
* Toonerville Rifa 13
* Varrio Nuevo Estrada
* Venice 13
* Vineland Boys
* Westside Locos
* White Fence
* Temple Street
* Texas Syndicate (primarily Mexican)
* Tren de Aragua (Venezuelan)
* Trinitarios (Dominican)
* Vatos Locos
* Young Lords

White American|

* Chicago Gaylords
* Dead Man Incorporated
* Dixie Mafia
* State Line Mob
* Popes
* Simon City Royals (primarily White, also Hispanics)

European-American|

* Albanian mafia
* Albanian Boys
* Rudaj Organization
* Greek mafia
* Philadelphia Greek Mob
* Velentzas crime family
* Polish Mob
* Russian mafia
* Serbian mafia

Irish-American|

* Irish Mob
* Charlestown Mob
* Egan's Rats
* Gustin Gang
* Hogan Gang
* K&A Gang
* Mullen Gang
* North Side Gang
* Westies
* White Hand Gang
* Winter Hill Gang

Italian and
Italian-American|

* American Mafia
* Bufalino crime family
* Buffalo crime family
* Chicago Outfit
* Cleveland crime family
* Colorado crime family
* D'Aquila crime family
* Dallas crime family
* DeCavalcante crime family
* Detroit Partnership
* Five Families (New York City)
* Genna crime family
* Kansas City crime family
* Los Angeles crime family
* Milwaukee crime family
* Morello crime family
* New Orleans crime family
* Patriarca crime family
* Philadelphia crime family
* Pittsburgh crime family
* Rochester crime family
* San Francisco crime family
* San Jose crime family
* Seattle crime family
* St. Louis crime family
* Trafficante crime family
* 10th & Oregon Crew
* Broadway Mob
* Camorra
* New York City
* East Harlem Purple Gang
* Jousters
* Murder, Inc.
* 'Ndrangheta
* New Springville Boys
* Sicilian Mafia
* South Brooklyn Boys
* Tanglewood Boys

Jewish-American|

* Jewish Mob
* Bugs and Meyer Mob
* Eastman Gang
* Lenox Avenue Gang
* Murder, Inc.
* Odesa mafia
* The Purple Gang
* Yiddish Black Hand
* Zwi Migdal
* Israeli mafia
* Abergil crime family
* New York divorce coercion gang

Polynesian and
Native American|

* The Company
* Native Mob
* Red Skin Kingz
* Sons of Samoa
* Tongan Crip Gang

West and South Asian|

* Armenian Power
* Chaldean mafia
* Independent Soldiers
* Israeli mafia
* Punjabi mafia
* Turkish mafia
* VVT (Tamil)

West African|

* Cape Verdean organized crime
* Nigerian mafia

Outlaw motorcycle gangs|

* Bandidos
* Breed
* Brother Speed
* Devils Diciples
* Diablos
* Dirty Dozen
* El Forastero
* Free Souls
* Galloping Goose
* Grim Reapers
* Gypsy Jokers
* Hells Angels
* Red Devils
* Highwaymen
* Iron Horsemen
* Mongols
* Outlaws
* Black Pistons
* Pagans
* Sons of Satan
* Sons of Silence
* Vagos
* Warlocks (Florida)
* Warlocks (Pennsylvania)

White supremacist|

* 211 Crew
* Aryan Brotherhood
* Aryan Brotherhood of Texas
* Aryan Circle
* Aryan Nations
* Aryan Republican Army
* Atomwaffen Division
* Combat 18
* The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord
* European Kindred
* Hammerskins
* Keystone United
* Lynwood Vikings
* Manson Family
* Nazi Lowriders
* The Order
* Public Enemy No. 1
* Soldiers of Aryan Culture
* Spook Hunters
* Universal Aryan Brotherhood
* Volksfront

See also
Gangs in the United States
List of gangs
Organized crime groups in the Americas

* v
* t
* e

Organized crime groups in Canada

Alberta|

* Crazy Dragons
* Grim Reapers
* Kings Crew
* Rebels
* Redd Alert
* White Boy Posse

British Columbia|

* 856 gang
* Alkhalil family
* Bacon Brothers
* Brothers Keepers
* Independent Soldiers
* Punjabi mafia
* Red Scorpions
* United Nations
* Wolfpack Alliance

Manitoba|

* Indian Posse
* Manitoba Warriors
* Vendettas

Nova Scotia|

* Gate Keepers
* North Preston's Finest

New Brunswick|

* Bacchus

Ontario|

| Italian organized crime families|

* Commisso 'ndrina‎
* Cuntrera-Caruana Mafia clan
* Luppino crime family
* Musitano crime family
* Papalia crime family
* Siderno Group

|

Cross-border Italian crime families|

* Buffalo crime family
* Chicago Outfit (historically)
* Detroit Partnership

Outlaw motorcycle gangs|

* Annihilators
* Black Diamond Riders
* Loners
* Original Red Devils
* Satan's Choice

Other gangs|

* Dixon Bloods
* Dömötör-Kolompár criminal organization
* Five Point Generalz
* Galloway Boys
* Kipps Lane Crew
* Tri-City Skins
* VVT

Quebec|

|  Quebeckers|

* Dubois Gang
* Blood Family Mafia

|

Irish Mob|

* West End Gang

Italian organized crime families|

* Cotroni crime family
* Cuntrera-Caruana Mafia clan
* Rizzuto crime family
* Sixth Family

Cross-border Italian crime families|

* Bonanno crime family

Outlaw motorcycle gangs|

* Devil's Disciples
* Gitans
* Popeyes
* Rock Machine
* Rockers

Foreign groups|

| American street gangs|

* Bloods
* Crips
* Latin Kings
* MS-13

|

Jamaican posses|

* Shower Posse

Outlaw motorcycle gangs|

* Bandidos
* Hells Angels
* Red Devils
* Outlaws
* Black Pistons

South and Southeast Asian gangs|

* Born to Kill

Triads|

* 14K
* Big Circle Boys
* Shui Fong
* Wo Shing Wo

Events|

* 1971 Kingston Penitentiary riot
* First Montreal biker war
* First Biker War
* Port Hope 8 case
* Lennoxville massacre
* Quebec Biker War
* Ontario Biker War
* Shedden massacre
* Surrey Six massacre
* Vancouver gang war

See also
Indigenous-based organized crime
List of gangs in Canada
Gangs in Canada
Organized crime groups in the Americas

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Australia
* Czech Republic

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template