Infamous Gang Leader Sentenced to Two Life Terms

The long time boss of the infamous Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang in Texas will be boss of a five by nine cell in a federal prison for the rest of his life, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.

John Portillo, 59, was sentenced to two life terms plus twenty years after a jury convicted him of a stack of charges a mile high, from racketeering to drug trafficking to conspiracy to commit murder.

Portillo and several other Bandidos figures, including National Bandidos President Jeffrey Pike, were convicted in federal court in San Antonio earlier this year.

Jurors found Pike and Portillo guilty of conspiring to conduct the affairs of a criminal organization through racketeering acts including directing, sanctioning, approving and permitting members of the Bandidos to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, intimidation, extortion and drug trafficking. 

In one case, Portillo ordered the murder of a man who was attempting to form a Texas chapter of the Hell's Angels, out of fear that the organization would muscle in on Bandidos dope selling operations.

"Gang violence is a threat to the safety and security of Texas communities,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These are complex cases, but thanks to the hard work and collaboration between law enforcement authorities and prosecutors, these criminals are no longer free to prey on our communities."

Pike will be sentenced tomorrow, and faces the same punishment as Portillo.

And, in a last gesture, the feds seized Portillos motorcycle, considering he won't be using it any more.


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