All photos courtesy of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office
A multi-agency investigation has led to the arrest of the entire Bakersfield chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, authorities have announced.
The investigation, headed by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol resulted in the arrests of six individuals and the seizure of weapons, ammunition, and other evidence.
In a press release on Tuesday, June 25, authorities identified the arrested individuals as Ricardo Alvarez, 42; Armando Villasenor, 55; Joseph Soto Sr., 57; Joseph Soto Jr., 33; Joshua Zavala, 31; and John Seeger, 57.
All six had been arrested earlier that morning. A seventh suspect identified in connection with the investigation, 37-year-old Joshua Vaughn, was already in custody.
Authorities say that Alvarez, Villasenor, Soto Sr., Soto Jr., and Zavala are active members of the Hells Angels Bakersfield Chapter.
Vaughn and Seeger are reportedly members of the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club, a sub-affiliate that allegedly takes orders and direction from the Hells Angels.
Agents also reportedly carried out eight search warrants at various locations throughout Bakersfield, which led to the confiscation of 25 firearms, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and gang affiliate paraphernalia.
All of the arrested individuals reportedly face charges of kidnapping, first-degree robbery, false imprisonment, assault with a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang, criminal conspiracy, intimidating a witness or a victim, and elder abuse.
All were booked at the Kern County jail, authorities said.
