The Bandidos MC 2026 — History, RICO Indictments, FBI Raids, Twin Peaks, Chapters & 1%er Culture

Motorcycle clubs (MCs) can be classified into conventional and deviant clubs, and the most deviant clubs are those known as 1% motorcycle clubs or outlaw motorcycle gangs, also known as OMGs.

According to the American Motorcycle Association, “99% of the motorcycling public are law-abiding; there are 1% who are not.” The 1% patch is only worn by clubs enmeshed in criminality and big enough to defend the claim that they’re the “baddest of the bad.”

Outlaw motorcycle gangs are motorcycle clubs that are famous for their members utilizing their motorcycle clubs as fronts for their criminal activities. According to the Department of Justice, there are more than 300 active OMGs in the U.S., with chapters ranging in size from five or six members to hundreds and thousands of members.

They’re highly organized criminal groups with members who commit crimes like violent crimes, trafficking in firearms, and drug trafficking.

If you love motorcycles and motorcycle club culture, then you know about Bandidos MC. Bandidos MC is one of the famous 1% MCs in the United States. This article will provide you with more information about Bandidos MC to help you grasp who they are, how they came to be, and why they are one of the most well-known MCs in the country.

Bandidos Motorcycle Club History

The name “Bandidos” of the Bandidos MC was first coined in 1965 when Donald Chambers and his pals stopped at a nearby cantina on their way back to the United States from an annual trip to the bullfights in Sonora, Mexico. Their unique vibe and aura garnered attention from the other patrons when they entered the cantina — one patron asked the waitress, “Who are those guys?” The waitress answered, “That’s DC and his American Bandidos.” The name stuck.

The Founding of Bandidos Motorcycle Club

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, also referred to as the Bandido Nation, was officially founded in March 1966 in San Leon, Texas, by Donald Eugene Chambers — also known as DC. The club was established as a tribute to the bandits who lived by their own set of rules. It gained more than 100 members by the beginning of the 1970s, many of whom were Vietnam War veterans.

How Bandidos Become a Part of 1% Motorcycle Clubs

As a motorcycle club that was founded as bandits, it is no surprise that the Bandidos MC is one of the 1% motorcycle clubs in the U.S. According to the Office of Justice, the Bandidos are involved in the production, transportation, and distribution of methamphetamine, as well as the transportation and distribution of cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs.

Bandidos MC is one of the highly developed groups that use their motorcycle club membership as a conduit for illicit activity.

Criminal Allegations and Incidents

The behavior of Bandido MC as a whole is typically conspiratorial, and they frequently utilize violence and intimidation to achieve their objectives. According to the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment, the Bandidos motorcycle club is involved in:

• Drug trafficking
• Weapons trafficking
• Prostitution
• Money laundering
• Explosives violations
• Motorcycle and motorcycle parts theft
• Intimidation
• Insurance fraud
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Theft
• Stolen property
• Counterfeiting
• Contraband smuggling
• Murder
• Bombings
• Extortion
• Arson and assault

Bandidos Mc’s Relationship With Other 1% MCs

According to the Journal of Criminal Justice, the big four OMGs or 1% motorcycle clubs are the Hells Angels MC, the Outlaws MC, the Bandidos MC, and the Pagans MC. They are all notorious for their criminal activity and aggressive behavior toward one another. The Bandidos, which have active chapters throughout the country, is the third-largest motorcycle gang in the world.

The Bandidos MC is different from other clubs in that they are only loyal to the teams that are the strongest in a certain region at a given moment.

They are friends with the Outlaws in the East and the Hells Angels in the West.

Bandidos MC Over the Years

When Bandido MC was established in 1966, the Houston Chapter, commonly known as the Mother Chapter, quickly saw the addition of the Southwest Houston Chapter. It didn’t take long for the Bandido Nation to become a powerful and prospering organization with thousands of members and hundreds of chapters spread over the USA, Central America, and South America.

The Bandidos MC expanded to more than 80 countries in the years that followed, but as time went on, disagreements over the club’s definitions and principles among the U.S., Europe, and Australia forced the club to make modifications. It was determined by a 100-vote majority at the yearly chapter presidents conference in February 2006 to provide Europe and Asia the freedom to choose their course.

On July 17, 2007, the club was divided.

Since this split, the Bandidos MC in the USA is no longer connected to the Bandidos MC in Europe, Asia, or Australia, despite having a similar name and patch — allowing Bandidos MC USA to return to its roots and represent motorcycle riding in its purest form. Today, the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, particularly the in the USA, currently has 1100 members in North, Central, and South America, making it the largest 1% club in the Western Hemisphere.

Bandidos Motorcycle Club Colors and Patch

The Bandidos MC wears red and gold colors modeled after the U.S. Marine Corps. The emblem of the Bandidos, often called “Fat Mexican,” features a caricature of a Mexican bandit wearing a sombrero and holding a sword in one hand and a gun in the other.

On top of their main logo and patch, they have several patches that different types of members wear. These patches include:

• Expect No Mercy patch
• TCB (Taking Care of Business) patch
• CDG (Coup de Grâce) patch

It is customary for members to wear patches that identify their rank, chapter, and other details. Although the specific significance of each patch is not known to the general public, several law enforcement organizations have discovered Bandidos patches that they think are connected to specific criminal behavior and their member’s roles and position in the club.

Mottos

The main motto of Bandidos MC is “We are the people our parents warned us about,” which is still used to promote the club and is shown on their websites. However, they adhere rigorously to many mottos, such as:

• “God forgives, Bandidos don’t”
• “Cut One, We All Bleed”
• “Our Colors Don’t Run”
• “Bandidos forever, forever Bandidos” (BFFB)

Famous Members of Bandidos MC

In 1972, Ronnie Hodge was elected president following the reign of founding president Donald Chambers. After becoming the second El Presidente, Hodge became known as “Step-Mother” in honor of Donald Chambers — the organization’s founder and first El Presidente — who was originally titled “Mother.”

George Wegers is another well-known Bandidos MC member. He served as the organization’s international president (El Presidente) from 1998 to 2005. In 2005, Wegers was arrested and pleaded guilty to racketeering. However, he only spent 20 months in prison as a result of a plea agreement when the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act charges were brought against a total of 26 members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.

Jeff Pike is another famous club member who went on to become the Bandidos MC International President as the successor of George Wegers. Jeff Pike had Weger’s Bandidos patches revoked because of his involvement in a report about the club and his plea agreement with the law, taking down 25 members of Bandidos for criminal charges.

On January 6, 2016, Jeff Pike and the national vice president and sergeant-at-arms of Bandidos MC were, according to CNBC News, all detained at Conroe, Texas. Pike and others were found guilty by the jury of several crimes, including:

• Racketeering conspiracy
• Murder conspiracy
• Racketeering assault
• Racketeering murder
• Drug trafficking
• Drug trafficking conspiracy
• Extortion
• Weapon violations

The Reputation of Bandidos MC

Being a 1% MC in America has undoubtedly made Bandidos MC famous, earning them a reputation as notorious criminals. Nevertheless, aside from being members of OMGs, Bandidos are proud of many other reputations.

The club’s members are fiercely devoted and loyal to their club. They are renowned for being very loyal to their women, as well as for enjoying themselves and taking part in various legal and illegal activities. They are an oddly contradictory but distinctive fusion of liberalism and conservatism.

Even while Bandidos MC is more well-known for its illegal activities, they also frequently participate in charitable endeavors, which helps explain why they have more supporters than enemies. They frequently host fundraising events for various causes all over the world. Bandidos MC is also famous for being a motorcycle club that lets kids ride on their bikes.

Organization and Chapters

Today, the Bandidos Motorcycle Club is a motorcycle club that is governed by local chapters, state and regional executives, a national chapter made up of regional vice presidents, and a national president. An international president, referred to as “El Presidente,” serves as the club’s head and is in charge of all club chapters in the U.S.

Although having the same name and patch, the Bandidos MC in the USA is no longer affiliated with the Bandidos MC in Europe, Asia, or Australia since the club split on July 17, 2007. Bandidos USA is seen as a separate organization from other Bandidos MC chapters throughout the world, although all of the different Bandidos MC chapters are still recognized as official Bandidos MC organizations.

Various Bandidos MC Chapters All Around The Globe

Bandidos MC Australia

Bandidos MC Australia was established and chartered in August 1983. The founding members were formerly affiliated with the city chapter of the Comanchero MC, whose chapter president at the time had traveled to the United States with other members while still a Comanchero MC member.

While there, they met Bandido members and were deeply moved by their brotherhood and hospitality. The Comanchero MC separated as a result of an ongoing conflict between chapters, which led to a complete lack of respect for the Mother Chapter, particularly the founder and Club President.

The Comanchero colors were burned during a ceremonial act, unintentionally creating the conditions for the hostility and subsequent violence that would come later. Snotgrass, the City Chapter President and Life Member of Comanchero MC, unsuccessfully attempted to mend the brotherhood between the two Chapters. Snotgrass got in touch with the National Presidente of Bandidos MC at that time, Ronnie Hodge, after recalling the appreciation that the U.S. Bandidos exhibited for him. Their Australian Charter was approved after much discussion with the Bandidos MC USA; Ronnie Hodge opened the ground for Bandidos International by granting Bandidos MC Australia a charter in that country.

Bandidos MC Europe

After the Bandidos MC Australia was founded in the mid-1980s, a local motorcycle club from Clichy in the northwest suburbs of Paris, France, contacted the Corpus Christi Chapter of the Bandidos MC and made plans to visit the American Bandidos to establish the first Bandidos MC chapter in Europe. The Frenchmen crossed the Atlantic to see the American Bandidos.

In 1989, American Bandidos traveled to France and fully covered MC Clichy. The Bandidos MC Europe was born, and Europe’s first Bandidos MC Chapter received certification. The Bandidos MC Marseilles Chapter thereafter received their complete patch and proudly wore the “Fat Mexican” as well as the red and gold colors on their backs.

Bandidos MC Asia

The Bandidos MC Asia was founded in Pattaya City, Thailand, in 2001. It started when Theo, a Bandido Nomad from Switzerland, established a club called Diablos MC in Pattaya along with Jack, Jim, and Ake from Thailand. It gained recognition from Bandidos USA and later was established as the first Bandidos MC chapter in Thailand.

They moved on and established the second chapter in Bangkok City a few years later, with a German member serving as the chapter president. The Bangkok East End is the third phase, and the club is still expanding.

Early in 2012, Bandidos Thailand had 20 chapters and more than 200 members distributed over Asia. The Bandidos MC Asia has significantly expanded along with the Supporting Clubs and has Chapters all over Asia.

Support Clubs

Bandidos MC is one of the leading motorcycle outlaw gangs in the world, with support clubs in many nations, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Singapore, and many more. The U.S., however, has the biggest support clubs. Here is a list of American support clubs:

• Aces and Eights Motorcycle Club
• Alabama Riders
• Amigos Motorcycle Club
• Arawyns Motorcycle Club
• Asesinos Motorcycle Club
• Asgard Motorcycle Club
• Bandoleros Motorcycle Club
• Black Berets Motorcycle Club
• Canyon Riders Motorcycle Club
• Companeros Motorcycle Club
• Cuchillos Motorcycle Club
• Deguello Motorcycle Club
• Desperados Motorcycle Club
• Desgraciados Motorcycle Club
• Destralos Motorcycle Club
• Dysfunctional Motorcycle Club
• Ghost Riders Motorcycle Club
• Guardian Motorcycle Club
• Gurio Motorcycle Club
• Gray Ghosts Motorcycle Club
• Hombres Motorcycle Club
• Intrepido Motorcycle Club
• Junkyard Dawgs Motorcycle Club
• LA Riders Motorcycle Club
• Latin Steel Motorcycle Club
• Los Homeboys Motorcycle Club
• Martyrs Motorcycle Club
• Mississippi Riders
• OK Riders Motorcycle Club
• Organized Chaos Motorcycle Club
• Ozark Riders Motorcycle Club
• Pacoteros Motorcycle Club
• Peligrosos Motorcycle Club
• Phantoms Motorcycle Club
• Road Dogs Motorcycle Club
• Serpents of Medusa WMC
• Tejanos Motorcycle Club
• Thunder-Heads Motorcycle Club
• Vaqueros Motorcycle Club

Bandidos Motorcycle Club Books, TV, and Movies

Given how well-known Bandidos MC is and how their journey to become one of the most popular MCs in the world is an outstanding and unique one, they have a significant presence in pop culture in the form of books and TV shows.

Books

• “Brothers in Arms: Bikie Wars” by Lindsay Simpson and Sandra Harvey on Amazon
• “Enforcer” by Colin Caesar Campbell on Amazon
• “Out in Bad Standings: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club – The Making of a Worldwide Dynasty” by Edward Winterhalder on Amazon
• “The Assimilation: Rock Machine Becomes Bandidos: Bikers United Against The Hells Angels” by Edward Winterhalder and Wil De Clercq on Amazon
• “The Fat Mexican: The Bloody Rise of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club” by Alex Caine on Amazon

TV Shows

• “Inside Outlaw Bikers: Bandido Nation” IMDB
• “Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms” IMDB

Membership

What Kind of Members Do They Accept, and the Kind of Motorcycles Do They Ride

Members of the Bandidos must be men and have at least one Harley-Davidson motorcycle; however, they can own other American-made bikes.

To demonstrate that they are more than just tough, club members must complete several initiation tasks set by the leader.

Members of Bandidos are not meant to work with law enforcement and are expected to “have a general disdain for the rules of society” and not to fear authority. Any violation of these guidelines could result in a fine, rank reduction, removal of a patch, expulsion from the club, or physical violence. Source

How To Join

It takes at least two years to fully enlist in the Bandidos, and the process is not simple. Everyone who wants to join the Bandidos MC needs a sponsor who has known them for at least five years.

The potential members must then undergo a background investigation. Members of the Bandidos visit the prospects’ hometowns with them so they can meet their families to ensure that their identity is accurate and that they are not connected to the police. Source

Bandidos MC in 2025–2026: RICO Indictments, FBI Raids, and Turf Wars

The Bandidos MC entered one of the most turbulent periods in its history during 2025 and into 2026, facing multiple simultaneous federal law enforcement operations that targeted its Houston-area power base and exposed a bloody turf war with a rival club.

February 2025 RICO Indictment — Southern District of Texas

On February 19, 2025, a 22-count federal indictment was unsealed in the Southern District of Texas, charging 14 members and associates of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang with RICO conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, assault, arson, narcotics distribution, and witness intimidation.

According to the Department of Justice, the indictment capped a six-year investigation that began in 2019 when a violent turf war erupted between the Bandidos and B*EAST (Bandidos Enforcement and Suppression Team), a rival outlaw motorcycle gang operating in the Houston metropolitan area. The DOJ alleged that Bandidos national leadership issued a “smash on site” order — an instruction to physically assault and even murder B*EAST members on sight.

The resulting violence spilled onto public roadways and into public establishments, with gunfire exchanged in areas where innocent civilians were present. Key defendants included:

• David Vargas (aka “Brake Check”) — charged with murder in aid of racketeering and using a firearm resulting in death; faces mandatory life in prison or the death penalty
• John M. Pfeffer (aka “Big John”) — charged with RICO conspiracy and multiple assault counts
• Darvi Hinojosa (aka “10 Round”) — charged with RICO conspiracy, attempted murder, and cocaine distribution
• Brandon K. Hantz (aka “Loco” / “Gun Drop”) — charged with RICO conspiracy and arson

The indictment also targeted members of the Mascareros Motorcycle Club, identified as a Bandidos support club in the Houston area. Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the DOJ’s Criminal Division stated: “The Bandidos declare war on rivals — and they wage that war on our streets.”

Operation Shattered Shield — May 2025 FBI Multi-State Raids

Just months after the RICO indictment, the FBI escalated its crackdown on the Bandidos with “Operation Shattered Shield,” a massive coordinated sting operation executed on May 31, 2025. The multi-state raids targeted Bandidos clubhouses, members’ residences, and support club locations across multiple states, marking one of the largest federal actions against an outlaw motorcycle gang in recent memory.

The operation involved the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and numerous local law enforcement agencies. Agents seized firearms, narcotics, club records, and electronic devices during the coordinated raids.

Additional Arrests in Late 2025

Federal pressure on the Bandidos continued throughout 2025:

• Bexar County, Texas (November 2025): A high-ranking Bandidos member was arrested during a major raid by Bexar County deputies, announced by Sheriff Javier Salazar
• Lubbock, Texas: Steven “Hot Tub” Ryals, the 74-year-old president of the Lubbock Bandidos chapter, was charged after a raid uncovered over three pounds of methamphetamine at the chapter’s clubhouse. Ryals faces up to 20 years in federal prison

These enforcement actions represent an unprecedented level of sustained federal pressure on the Bandidos, with the DOJ characterizing the club as a “violent transnational motorcycle gang” and signaling that additional indictments may follow as investigations continue into 2026.

The Waco Twin Peaks Shootout (2015)

No article about the Bandidos MC would be complete without addressing the Twin Peaks shootout — one of the deadliest incidents in modern American motorcycle club history.

On May 17, 2015, a meeting of motorcycle clubs at a Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas, erupted into a massive gunfight between the Bandidos and the Cossacks Motorcycle Club. The violence left 9 people dead and 20 injured. Police arrested 177 bikers on the scene, each facing organized crime charges with bonds set at $1 million.

The incident stemmed from a long-simmering territorial dispute. The Cossacks, a Texas-based club, had begun wearing a “Texas” bottom rocker on their vests — a direct challenge to the Bandidos, who considered Texas their exclusive territory. In the world of 1%er MCs, wearing a state rocker without the dominant club’s permission is seen as a declaration of war.

Despite the mass arrests, the legal aftermath proved deeply controversial. The first trial in 2017 ended in a mistrial, and by 2018, McLennan County prosecutors dismissed all remaining charges against the 177 defendants, citing insufficient evidence and prosecution failures. No one was ever convicted for the nine deaths.

The Twin Peaks incident remains a defining moment for the Bandidos and a landmark case in the broader history of outlaw motorcycle club violence in America.

Bandidos MC Worldwide Status in 2026

Despite facing intense law enforcement pressure, the Bandidos Motorcycle Club remains one of the largest and most powerful outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world as of 2026. Here is the current state of the Bandido Nation:

• Global membership: Estimated 3,000–3,500 members worldwide
• Chapters: 303 chapters across 22 countries
• U.S. presence: 93 chapters in 16 states, with 1,500–2,000 American members
• Stronghold states: Texas (Mother Chapter in Houston), Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oklahoma, and Missouri
• International regions: Australia (~45 chapters), Europe (~90 chapters), Asia (20+ chapters), Central and South America
• Ranking: Fourth-largest MC in the world (behind Hells Angels, Outlaws, and Pagans)

The 2007 split between Bandidos USA and the international chapters (Europe, Asia, Australia) remains in effect. While they share the same name and “Fat Mexican” patch, the organizations operate independently.

Key challenges facing the Bandidos in 2026:

• Ongoing RICO prosecution of Houston-area members and leadership
• Territorial conflicts with B*EAST and other rival clubs
• Increased federal surveillance following Operation Shattered Shield
• Continued prohibition or legal restrictions in several countries (Netherlands banned since 2017, Germany has imposed regional bans)
• Internal pressure from aging leadership vs. younger, more aggressive members

FAQ: Bandidos Motorcycle Club

Are the Bandidos still active in 2026?

Yes. The Bandidos remain highly active with an estimated 3,000–3,500 members across 303 chapters in 22 countries. Their U.S. operations continue to be centered in Texas, though they face significant federal law enforcement pressure from the 2025 RICO indictments and Operation Shattered Shield raids.

Who is the current Bandidos president?

The Bandidos’ current national leadership is not publicly disclosed. The last publicly known El Presidente was Jeff Pike, who was convicted of federal racketeering charges in 2018 and sentenced to two life terms plus 20 years. Since then, the club has been more secretive about identifying its top leadership.

What happened at Twin Peaks in Waco?

On May 17, 2015, a violent shootout between the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle clubs at a Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas killed 9 people and injured 20. Despite 177 arrests, all charges were eventually dismissed. The incident was triggered by a territorial dispute over the Cossacks wearing a “Texas” bottom rocker.

How do you join the Bandidos MC?

Joining the Bandidos requires a multi-year process: first as a “hangaround,” then a “prospect,” and finally “probation.” You need a sponsor who has known you for at least five years, must own a Harley-Davidson (or other American-made motorcycle), and must pass background checks to verify you have no law enforcement ties. The entire process takes at least two years.

What is the Bandidos vs B*EAST war about?

Since 2019, the Bandidos have been engaged in a violent turf war with B*EAST (a rival OMG) in the Houston area. According to federal prosecutors, Bandidos national leadership issued a “smash on site” order against B*EAST members. This conflict led to the February 2025 RICO indictment of 14 Bandidos members and associates.

Are the Bandidos considered a criminal organization?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, and numerous international law enforcement agencies classify the Bandidos as an organized crime syndicate. The 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment and subsequent federal indictments (including the 2025 RICO case) document the club’s involvement in drug trafficking, racketeering, weapons trafficking, and violent crime. However, the Bandidos maintain they are a brotherhood of motorcycle enthusiasts.

What is the difference between the Bandidos and Hells Angels?

The Bandidos (founded 1966, Texas) and Hells Angels (founded 1948, California) are both 1%er outlaw MCs, but they have historically been rivals. The Hells Angels are larger globally and dominant on the West Coast and in the Northeast, while the Bandidos control most of the South and Southwest. Internationally, the two clubs fought a violent war in Scandinavia during the 1990s known as the Nordic Biker War.

The Bottom Line

From a small Texas fishing village in 1966 to a global operation spanning 22 countries, the Bandidos Motorcycle Club has cemented its place as one of the most iconic and controversial 1%er MCs in the world. As of 2026, the club faces perhaps its greatest challenge: unprecedented federal law enforcement pressure from RICO indictments, multi-state raids, and ongoing investigations. Whether the Bandido Nation can weather this storm while maintaining its brotherhood and territorial claims remains one of the most-watched stories in the outlaw motorcycle world.