The Kern County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the California Highway Patrol, carried out the arrests on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing investigation into criminal street gang activities.
The Sheriff's Office revealed that "more than 150 law enforcement personnel seized approximately 25 firearms, ammunition, multiple high-capacity magazines, and gang affiliate paraphernalia." The confiscated items, which included several rifles, were displayed alongside patches, jackets, and other clothing linked to the gang.
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The arrested individuals, all hailing from Bakersfield, were identified as Ricardo Alvarez, 42, Armando Villasenor, 55, Joseph Soto Sr., 57, Joseph Soto Jr., 33, Joshua Zavala, 31, and John Seeger, 57. Joshua Vaughn, 37, already in custody on unrelated charges, was also implicated in the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office disclosed that "eight search warrants were executed at various locations throughout Bakersfield."
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The police further clarified the affiliations of the arrested individuals, stating, "Alvarez, Villasenor, Soto Sr., Soto Jr., and Zavala are active, patched members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, Bakersfield Chapter. Vaughn and Seeger are members of the Sons Of Hell Motorcycle Club. This sub-affiliate Motorcycle Club takes orders and direction from the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club."
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The seven suspects are now facing a multitude of charges, including kidnapping, first-degree robbery, criminal threats, false imprisonment, assault with a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang, criminal conspiracy, intimidating a witness or victim, and elder abuse. This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal street gangs and uphold public safety.
