Baldwin Park Man Arrested In Vagos Biker Gang Raid

BALDWIN PARK, CA — A Baldwin Park man was among the 23 suspected members and associates of the Vagos biker gang arrested Friday.

Eight Southern California men were among 23 suspected members and associates of the Vagos biker gang named in a federal indictment unsealed Friday outlining an alleged conspiracy involving racketeering, murder, robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault.

The 12-count indictment, returned by a grand jury in Las Vegas, includes murder allegations linked to the slaying of a rival Hells Angels gang leader, who was killed Sept. 23, 2011, at the Nugget resort in Sparks, Nevada.

"The indictment alleges that the Vagos gang is a highly organized criminal organization that adheres to a hierarchical chain of command, and whose members conspired to enrich the gang; to preserve, protect and enhance the power of the gang; and to keep victims in fear of the gang through acts and threats of violence," prosecutors said.

The Southern California-based defendants are:

• Pastor Fausto Ta Ta" Palafox, 53, of Beaumont
• Albert "Al" Lopez, 39, of Canyon Country
• James Patrick "Jimbo" Gillespie, 68, of Granada Hills
• Andrew Eloy "Hulk" Lozano, 42, of Fontana
• Paul Jeffrey "Shyster" Voll, 52, of Pasadena
• John Joseph "Rocky" Siemer, 60, of Baldwin Park
• Bradey Michael "Candy Man" Campos, 50, of Alhambra
• John Chrispin "Quicky" Juarez, 69, of Moreno Valley.

The indictment alleges the defendants participated in crimes involving the Vagos, which is active in at least seven countries, including about 75 chapters in the United States, 54 of which are in California and Nevada, officials said.

City News Service

Photo: Renee Silverman Via Flickr.com