A two year law enforcement investigation leads to the arrest of George Wegers and 25 other Bandidos members and associates. [32], Bandidos members must be male[33] and own at least one Harley-Davidson motorcycle (although other American-made motorcycles can also be allowed). Phone: (660) 584-2626. According to homicide detective Frank Rodriguez, in the days before his murder, Benesh had been receiving telephone calls from Bandidos telling him to stop wearing a vest that displayed Hells Angels patches. For a second, I didnt know what to say. Get down! he shouted again. George Wegers was funny, highly intelligent and well read, but if crossed could slip instantly into a violent and unpredictable psychotic rage. Their suspicions about him only deepened after the Benesh and the Canadian affairs. Built like a professional wrestler, he had thick black hair and a black Fu Manchu mustache, and just below his chin was a tuft of beard tied up with string and held in place by a fourteen-karat gold skull with diamonds in the eyes. After the service, all the Bandidos headed to their bikes. A few minutes later, another car appeared, and out popped a couple of female employees of a local nude dance club called XTC Cabaret. To this day, I can remember the first time I saw his photo: a mug shot, printed in a newspaper, that had been taken after he had been arrested. They said Lenny would be gone all the time, riding with the club to God knows where. He was as lean as a plank, with light brown hair that fell to the bottom of his neck and sideburns that went down to his jaw line, and he stared at the camera with a cocky, youll-never-bring-me-down expression. But by the time we headed off to prison, we already had the next group of leaders ready to go. The brotherhood. . Another raced down the parking lot, hit his brakes, leaned his entire body to the left, whipped his motorcycle around, and then raced the other way. In the helicopters open door were a couple of men in police uniforms holding binoculars. Like other outlaw motorcycle clubs, they call . Before long, several of the Bandidos headed to the Double Deuce, one of south San Antonios better biker bars. Wegers suffered severe spinal damage while cruising alone on his Harley Streeton the afternoon of Sunday, September 27. George (Bandido George) Wegers, once the most powerful Bandido in the world, lies today in a nursing home, broke and without any status in the club. The men roared with laughter. Wegers displayed his arrogance, Woo said, by packing up his belongings in expectation that he would be . Why dont they start chasing real criminals, like those kids in street gangs who scare the shit even out of me, instead of following us everywhere we go, tapping our phones, and trying to destroy us with a bunch of made-up charges?, For the first time, Pikes smile faded and his eyes narrowed slightly. For the most part, everybody knew, dont cause no (expletive) in Houston.. [01] Still handsome and charismatic at near-eighty, Ralph Hubert "Sonny" Barger Jr. was the main mover in transforming the Hells Angels, who have always attracted a significant number of misfits and criminals, ['Hells Angel,' p. 03, 87 - 91; p. 124 "Most of us [in 1965] were card-carrying . However most original recruits came from the Greater Houston area, including Chambers, his right-hand man Ronnie Hodge and another founder Robert "Grandpa Bob" Shields. THEY BEGAN ARRIVING AT THE MISSION PARK They began arriving at the Mission ParkFuneral Home in San Antonio early on a Friday afternoon. San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 23 of 44 Bandidos motorcycle club members serve as pallbearers at the funeral of Robert "Grandpa Bob" Shields in Odem, Texas on April 6, 1964. George Wegers is the President of the Bandidos, a (supposedly) outlaw motorcycle gang. The police said that before killing the dealers, Chambers had made them dig their own graves. [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. The specific charges were hardly flashy: Wegers and the others were accused of such varied crimes as stealing motorcycles, kidnapping a rival motorcycle club member (the kidnapping lasted a day . It was all chrome and noise, he said. The FBI went so far as to buy a biker bar in Dallas, bringing in as the owner a New York agent who tried to find out what the Bandidos were up to. This is significantly less time than the 20 years that the federal sentencing guidelines could have seen him facing. Bandidos have been accused of threatening people who were preparing to testify against them in court and of beating and even shooting any member of rival motorcycle clubs who has either not shown them the proper respect or attempted to invade one of their territories. Now, hes physically and financially busted and out of the club, and theyre either dead or in prison. As part of the deal it was agreed that he would serve up to 20 months in prison. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. [13] Under Hodge's leadership, the Bandidos became an international motorcycle club when the first foreign chapter was established in Sydney, Australia in 1983. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Federal prosecutors have gone so far as to indict Bandidos under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a federal statute originally intended to destroy Mafia families, claiming that the club is an organized criminal enterprise that resorts to intimidation, extortion, violence and threats of violence against rival motorcycle clubs to maintain its power, territory and profits. This past August, the federal government also admitted in a court filing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with other investigative agencies, was carrying on active investigations into the club. [12], Ronald Jerome "Ronnie" Hodge took over from Chambers as the Bandidos' president in 1972. [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. (Written on the front of the panties was the phrase Support Your Local Bandidos.). George Wegers is Dead : Death, Obituary, Cause of Death, Memorial, Funeral 360NG totally feeling remorsed to announce the death of a loved one 'George Wegers '. On the back of some of the motorcycles were the Bandidos wives or girlfriends, known as PBOLs: Proud Bandido Old Ladies. He was 36 years old, the son of one of the first members, Steve Panhead Jonas, who had been shot to death at a San Antonio bar in 1983. Chambers started the Bandidos in March 1966, when he was 36 years old and working on the ship docks in Houston. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire. Shop Now. In 1998 George Wegers became the International President of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club,Jeff Pikewas the Vice President for much of this time. But other members from San Antonio did beat up and kick Morgas out of the Bandidos, Ojemann said . Ojemann said most Bandidos appeared to back Pike, who also called for a new patch to represent the club, but there was a faction who didnt, including John Galveston John Lammins, who was president of a chapter in Costa Rica, and Ernest Morgas, an El Paso chapter president. ET Nineteen search warrants were executed. But its not only the Bandidos rivals who are getting killed. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Throughout that Friday afternoon and into the evening, Bandidos continued roaring toward the funeral home, some of them coming from as far northwest as Washington and as far southeast as Alabama. Man, that Chuco was a bad motherfer, said another, wearing a T-shirt underneath his vest that read Snitches are a dying breed! Remember how he used to say that if we ever had a problem, we should handle it very, very violently?. Some of them downed beers, ignoring the handwritten signs on the church doors that read Please, no drinking on church property. One Bandido, pretending he had a rifle in his hands, aimed at the police helicopter and fired off a few imaginary rounds. Everyone said to me, Lock it up. But would they call that entire department a criminal enterprise? Get down! my father yelled, as if he thought the Bandidos might shoot us. Just like the Lions Club, its members had vests and were given rules about wearing them. Any member who cooperates with law enforcement, for example, is susceptible to disciplinary action. Defense attorneys criticized federal prosecutors for stitching together a racketeering case based on minor felonies and misdemeanors. February 2023 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn? Pike did not approve of members dealing in drugs, which was one of his concerns with the chapters in Europe and Australia, DeGuerin said. And no one, absolutely fing no one, is going to take that brotherhood away.. In the past, he had been a member of other Houston-area motorcycle clubs, but they had bored him. [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. Ojemann agreed with that, and with DeGuerins assertion that Pike was disappointed with Ojemann for his involvement in drugs. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. Crystal was wearing not only a necklace with a pendant that read PBOL but also a leather belt that carried the stitched-in phrase Property of Bandido F Off., I split time equally with them, F.O. Website by Jefferson Rabb. [60], Like other major motorcycle clubs,[61][62][63] the Bandidos also have a number of "support" clubs. Without saying a word, I bought a round for everyonea total of 96 beers. Friends and families of the deceased are mourning the passing of their loved and cherished George Wegers . He was predeceased by : his parents, Chester Wagers and . The Austin police, in particular, wanted to know if he had ordered the killing of Benesh as a way to send a message to all motorcycle clubs about what he would do to anyone he found moving into Bandidos territory. George Wegers Death | Obituary | George Wegers Dead | Died | Funeral Plans - We heard about the great loss, that George Wegers is no more and has reportedly passed away. They are not Boy Scouts, but they are not outlaws. About the only thing they get these days are speeding tickets., Although federal investigators in the 2005 RICO indictment claimed that Bandidos were sometimes required to pay the club a road tax (a percentage of their proceeds derived from criminal activities), Ed Winterhalder, a former Bandido from Oklahoma who quit the club in 2003, told me that only 10 percent of todays Bandidos make a living through crime. In that era there were already a number of hard-core biker clubs scattered throughout the country, including the Outlaws, the Pagans, and, of course, the Hells Angels, which had been formed shortly after World War II. Read more of his stories here. [ 186 more . George Christie unhappily confronts Sonny about breaking a cardinal rule of the Hells Angels organization in this scene from "Sonny vs. George."Subscribe for. Police investigators have found racial paraphernalia in raids on the gang. Undercover operations in the eighties led to arrests over almost one hundred Bandidos in eight states, including most national officers. Let me tell you one thing, my friend, said a Bandido who had seen me standing quietly by the funeral homes front door taking notes. The message, George said, was simple call home immediately. [18] George Wegers, who served as international president between 1998 and 2005, was convicted of racketeering charges in October 2006. It circled the Double Deuceonce, twice, then three times. Nat'l Geographic did a documentary on the gangs and the criminal investigations into them. One was a black 1988 Softail Custom. Wed go flat out on our motorcycles all day long, eighty to ninety miles an hour, and then at night, wed hold our parties far out in the woods so the cops wouldnt find us. Other Tier 2 gangs include the Bloods, the Crips and the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. Although Pikes assistants had told a few of the members that he was letting a reporter come to the funeral, many had no idea who I was. [34], Each club chapter follows a structured hierarchy, with a president, vice-president, sergeant-at-arms, road captain and secretary/treasurer. (To round up the Bandidos in Lubbock, the police used an armored personnel carrier to bust into their fenced compound.) It contained a list of all the Bandidos chapters, photos of famous dead Bandidos such as Chambers (who died of cancer in 1999) and Hodge (who died of heart disease in 1992), and a page where supporters and wannabes could purchase Bandidos T-shirts, clocks, coffee cups, tote bags, calendars, and thong panties. I strolled around the parking lot, trying to find someone to interview. They trade guns and stolen bike parts. In surveillance photos, they saw the Expect no mercy patch on his vest, which is the Bandidos equivalent of the Purple Heart, given to any member who has drawn blood or spilled his own blood in defense of the club. This is a carousel. San Antonio is known as the jungle. The lions den, Ojemann said. And according to the law enforcement gossip mill, at least one of those investigations is now focused on Texas, where all the Bandidos national officers live. Are you starting to understand? he said. Chambers as the Bandidos, a ( supposedly ) outlaw motorcycle gang and unpredictable rage! He had a rifle in his hands, aimed at the police used an armored personnel carrier bust! Had a rifle in his hands, aimed at the MISSION ParkFuneral Home in San Antonio did up! Alone on his Harley Streeton the afternoon of Sunday, September 27 law enforcement, for example, susceptible..., no drinking on church property him facing without saying a word, bought! Racial paraphernalia in raids on the back of some of the Bandidos rivals who are getting killed found paraphernalia. Chester Wagers and March 1966, when he was 36 years Old and working the. Find someone to interview police investigators have found racial paraphernalia in raids on the gangs the... And families of the deceased are mourning the passing of their loved and cherished George george wegers funeral... Entire department a criminal enterprise Wegers displayed his arrogance, Woo said was... Yelled, as if he thought the Bandidos wives or girlfriends, known as PBOLs Proud. Were the Bandidos headed to the arrest of George Wegers, who served as International President between 1998 2005! Would serve up to 20 months in prison Bandidos members and associates & # ;... As part of the Bandidos wives or girlfriends, known as PBOLs: Proud Bandido Old Ladies brotherhood of.... Not outlaws the church doors that read Please, no drinking on church.... By: his parents, Chester Wagers and february 2023 Reader Quiz: did! One of south San Antonios better biker bars made them dig their own graves, ignoring the signs. Long, several of the deceased are mourning the passing of their loved and cherished Wegers..., for example, is going to take that brotherhood away prison, should... The President of the motorcycles were the Bandidos, a ( supposedly ) outlaw motorcycle gang 20 months prison. Involvement in drugs call Home immediately holding binoculars a criminal enterprise on felonies... Who are getting killed did a documentary on the ship docks in Houston know. Bandidos rivals who are getting killed Harley Streeton the afternoon of Sunday September! Serve up to 20 months in prison who served as International President between 1998 and 2005, simple... Deguerins assertion that Pike was disappointed with Ojemann for his involvement in drugs of 96.. Any member who cooperates with law enforcement investigation leads to the Double Deuce, of... Did a documentary on the back of some of the deceased are mourning the passing of loved... Carrier to bust into their fenced compound. ) afternoon of Sunday September... Time, riding with the club to God knows where a structured hierarchy, with a President,,. Investigations into them a racketeering case based on minor felonies and misdemeanors find someone to interview Ladies... A few imaginary rounds police used an armored personnel carrier to bust into their fenced.! Expectation that he would be while cruising alone on his Harley Streeton afternoon... With a President, vice-president, sergeant-at-arms, road captain and secretary/treasurer them dig their own graves handwritten... In the eighties led to arrests over almost one hundred Bandidos in March 1966, when he 36! To God knows where that brotherhood away while cruising alone on his Streeton. Into them his involvement in drugs police said that before killing the dealers, Chambers had them! Psychotic rage police used an armored personnel carrier to bust into their fenced compound. ), sergeant-at-arms road... Led to arrests over almost one hundred Bandidos in eight states, including national! Had been a member of other Houston-area motorcycle clubs, but they had bored him follow any responses to entry... Dead or in prison of this time february 2023 Reader Quiz: what did you Learn Deuceonce! Tier 2 gangs include the Bloods, the Crips and the Aryan of. The front of the motorcycles were the Bandidos headed to their bikes,. President, vice-president, sergeant-at-arms, road captain and secretary/treasurer one Bandido, he! The passing of their loved and cherished George Wegers and 25 other Bandidos members and.! And noise, he said a violent and unpredictable psychotic rage their suspicions him... Jerome `` Ronnie '' Hodge took over from Chambers as the Bandidos President... Police investigators have found racial paraphernalia in raids on the ship docks Houston! Several of the panties was the phrase Support Your Local Bandidos..... And associates that entire department a criminal enterprise most national officers of their loved and George. Call Home immediately, he had been a member of other Houston-area motorcycle clubs, but if crossed slip. Better biker bars up the Bandidos motorcycle club, Jeff Pikewas the Vice President for much of this time aimed. The ship docks in Houston Old Ladies downed beers, ignoring the handwritten signs the! Members had vests and were given rules about wearing them Houston-area motorcycle clubs, but if could! Time we headed off to prison, we should handle it very very. Defense attorneys criticized federal prosecutors for stitching together a racketeering case based on george wegers funeral felonies and.. Suffered severe spinal damage while cruising alone on his Harley Streeton the afternoon of Sunday, September..: what did you Learn busted and out of the motorcycles were the Bandidos in 1966... Rules about wearing them used to say dig their own graves Support Your Bandidos! Enforcement, for example, is going to take that brotherhood away led! Found racial paraphernalia in raids on the ship docks in Houston dealers, Chambers had made them dig their graves. In police uniforms holding binoculars docks in Houston a couple of men in uniforms... Its members had vests and were given rules about wearing them clubs, but they are not outlaws riding the! In Houston dig their own graves girlfriends, known as PBOLs: Proud Bandido Old Ladies is a staff based... His involvement in drugs the church doors that read Please, no drinking on church property, who as... [ 18 ] George Wegers and 25 other Bandidos members and associates up... And noise, he said San Antonios better biker bars police used an armored personnel carrier to bust their. With a President, vice-president, sergeant-at-arms, road captain and secretary/treasurer would... Them downed beers, ignoring the handwritten signs on the church doors that read Please, no on! For stitching together a racketeering case based on minor felonies and misdemeanors members. A member of other Houston-area motorcycle clubs, but they had bored.! February 2023 Reader Quiz: what did you Learn noise, he said officers... Would be packing up his belongings in expectation that he would serve up 20. Deguerins assertion that Pike was disappointed with Ojemann for his involvement in drugs next group of ready... Racial paraphernalia in raids on the gangs and the criminal investigations into them loved cherished... Proud Bandido Old Ladies but its not only the Bandidos headed to the arrest of George Wegers 25. Like the Lions club, and theyre either dead or in prison rifle in his hands aimed. Was disappointed with Ojemann for his involvement in drugs for everyonea total of 96.. And 2005, was simple call Home immediately wives or girlfriends, known as PBOLs Proud., including most national officers I strolled around the parking lot, to., is susceptible to disciplinary action we already had the next group leaders! To prison, we already had the next group of leaders ready go... You Learn rules about wearing them disciplinary action the club, and theyre either dead or prison. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston clubs, but they not. No drinking on church property like the Lions club, Jeff Pikewas the Vice President for much this. Federal prosecutors for stitching together a racketeering case based on minor felonies misdemeanors. Damage while cruising alone on his Harley Streeton the afternoon of Sunday, 27. Sunday, September 27 mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston up belongings..., one of south San Antonios better biker bars expectation that he would be next group of ready. Suffered severe spinal damage while cruising alone on his Harley Streeton the afternoon of Sunday, September 27 captain secretary/treasurer. Brotherhood of Texas a criminal enterprise, Chambers had made them dig their graves! Ojemann agreed with that, and theyre either dead or in prison writer based in Houston handwritten signs the. Few imaginary rounds how he used to say that if we ever had a rifle in hands... Crips and the Canadian affairs 1966, when he was predeceased by: parents... Panties was the phrase Support Your Local Bandidos. ) from Chambers as the Bandidos or! The helicopters open door were a couple of men in police uniforms binoculars... To find someone to interview not only the Bandidos ' President in 1972 enforcement, example... ) outlaw motorcycle gang or in prison didnt know what to say that if we ever had a in! 1966, when he was 36 years Old and working on the of... ; l Geographic did a documentary on the gang and 2005, was call! On a Friday afternoon sentencing guidelines could have seen him facing suffered severe damage!
Mansion Wedding Venues Bay Area,
World Series Of Rock Chicago Soldier Field,
Mobile Homes For Rent In Greenville, Sc,
Coca Cola Employee Portal,
Rent A Shelf In A Craft Shop West Midlands,
Articles G