23 alleged gang members arrested in 3 states in crime case
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Federal prosecutors say 23 Vagos Motorcycle Club leaders, members or associates have been arrested in three states on charges including racketeering, murder, kidnapping, robbery and assault.
A U.S. Justice Department statement on Friday characterized the Vagos as an outlaw motorcycle gang and said eight of the people charged were responsible for the September 2011 killing of a Hells Angels' boss at a northern Nevada casino.
Officials say the indictment filed Wednesday in Las Vegas remained sealed until all 23 defendants were in custody.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Blanco characterized the arrests in and around Las Vegas, Reno, Los Angeles, San Jose, California, and Kailua, Hawaii, as a coordinated takedown of the Vagos.
The indictment alleges the club is a racketeering enterprise with nearly 90 chapters in at least seven countries, including about 50 chapters in California and Nevada.