Bandidos Leaders Convicted on Racketeering, Murder Charges

Two former leaders of the Bandidos biker gang have been found guilty of racketeering and murder following a three and a half month long federal trial in San Antonio, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.

John Portillo, 58 of San Antonio, and Jeffrey Pike, 62, of the Houston suburb of Conroe, both face life in prison.

Pike's lead lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, says he's disappointed in today's verdict.

"When we are up against those kinds of resources, it is almost an impossible task," he said.

The pair were convicted on racketeering charges for organizing a series of murders and other crimes against rival gangs over the past several years.

"These kinds of cases are so hard, because of the vast resources avaialble to the prosecution," DeGuerin said.

Ironically, the verdict came down on the three year anniversary of a shootout between the Bandidos and a rival gang at a restaurant in Waco that left nine people dead.

These charges did not relate to that incident.


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