Deadly Shootouts & Betrayals: Inside the Bandidos | United Gangs of America
Summary
TLDRThe script details the notorious Bandidos, one of the world's largest outlaw motorcycle gangs, tracing their violent history from their 1966 founding in Texas to their expansion into a global criminal enterprise. It covers their turf wars with rival gangs like the Hells Angels and Cossacks, culminating in the infamous Waco shootout. The narrative also delves into the Bandidos' internal power struggles, criminal activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, and the eventual downfall of leaders Jeff Pike and John Portillo through law enforcement's relentless pursuit. Despite the arrests, the Bandidos' influence persists, highlighting the complexity and resilience of organized crime.
Takeaways
- đ The Waco shootout in 2015 was a violent confrontation between two rival biker gangs, the Bandidos and the Cossacks, resulting in 9 deaths and 177 arrests.
- đī¸ The Bandidos, founded in Texas in 1966, have a storied history and a strict code of conduct, including a prohibition on wearing certain patches unless earned.
- đĢ The Bandidos have been involved in numerous violent incidents and criminal activities, including drug trafficking, gun running, and extortion.
- đŽââī¸ Law enforcement has struggled to infiltrate and prosecute the Bandidos due to their secretive nature and the loyalty of their members.
- đšī¸ The Bandidos' internal conflicts, particularly a power struggle in Canada, led to a brutal 'cleansing' where members were executed for disloyalty.
- đĄī¸ The leadership of Jeff Pike and John Portillo was instrumental in the Bandidos' growth and criminal operations, but also made them targets for law enforcement.
- đ The Bandidos have a significant presence in Texas, which they fiercely protect as their home territory against rival gangs like the Hells Angels.
- đ Despite setbacks and leadership changes, the Bandidos have grown to become a global criminal syndicate with thousands of members across multiple countries.
- đĢ The club enforces strict rules regarding membership and the display of their symbols, with severe consequences for those who break these rules.
- đ The Bandidos' activities have led to much loss and suffering, with many lives ruined by the organization's violent and criminal methods.
- đ¨ The Waco incident brought significant attention to the Bandidos, but despite high-profile arrests, the core of the organization remains active and dangerous.
Q & A
What was the event that took place at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas?
-The event was a massive shootout between two rival biker gangs, the Bandidos and the Cossacks, which resulted in nine deaths and 177 arrests, making it one of the most violent incidents in biker history.
What is the significance of the 'bottom rocker' in the biker world?
-The 'bottom rocker' is a patch worn by biker clubs that signifies the territory they represent. For the Bandidos, wearing 'TEXAS' is a significant right that no other club has, symbolizing their dominance and connection to the state.
Who is Jerry Pierson, also known as 'Scratch'?
-Jerry Pierson, AKA Scratch, is a legendary member of the Bandidos. He was present at the Twin Peaks incident and was aware that a confrontation was imminent due to the rival gang's presence.
What led to the escalation of violence between the Bandidos and the Hells Angels?
-The escalation was due to a breakdown of a previously shaky truce between the two clubs. Tensions were further fueled by competition over territory, drug trafficking, and arms trafficking.
What was the Bandidos' response to the murder of a member by the Two Six gang?
-The Bandidos conducted their own investigation and retaliated by luring the killer, Robert Lara, to a rest stop where he was executed. This act was part of their code of not letting harm come to their members without response.
Who are Jeff Pike and John Portillo, and what roles did they play in the Bandidos?
-Jeff Pike and John Portillo are key figures in the Bandidos. Pike was a long-time member who eventually became the national president of the Bandidos. Portillo, a heating and air conditioning repairman, formed a bond with Pike that led the Bandidos from a biker club to a multimillion-dollar criminal enterprise.
What was the significance of the 'Expect No Mercy' patch within the Bandidos?
-The 'Expect No Mercy' patch is awarded to members who have drawn or spilled blood for the club. It symbolizes loyalty and commitment to the club's violent ethos and is a mark of distinction within the Bandidos.
What was the Bandidos' relationship with the Texas Mexican Mafia?
-The Bandidos had an arrangement with the Texas Mexican Mafia, a prison gang that controlled the drug trade in Texas. This alliance allowed Bandidos members dealing in narcotics to avoid paying the usual 10% extortion fee, or 'dime,' to the Texas Mexican Mafia.
What happened to the Bandidos after the Waco shootout?
-Following the Waco shootout, the Bandidos' leadership was targeted by law enforcement. Jeff Pike and John Portillo were eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison, signaling a significant crackdown on the gang's activities.
How did the Bandidos maintain secrecy and control within their organization?
-The Bandidos maintained secrecy and control through a strict code of silence, known as 'Omerta,' which originated from the Italian Mafia. Members were not to talk or cooperate with law enforcement, and this culture of silence was strictly enforced.
Outlines
đ Waco Biker War: The Confederation of Clubs Confrontation
The script opens with a scene set in Waco, Texas, where a biker conference escalates into a violent clash between two rival motorcycle clubs, the Bandidos and the Cossacks. The dispute is rooted in territorial tensions and the right to wear a 'Texas' patch, symbolizing earned respect in the biker world. The situation culminates in a chaotic shootout involving the Waco police, resulting in nine deaths and 177 arrests, with the Bandidos blaming the police for the bloodshed. This event solidifies the Bandidos' reputation in biker history.
đ Bandidos Origins and Transformation into a Criminal Enterprise
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club was founded in 1966 by Donald Eugene Chambers, a Vietnam veteran seeking to recreate the brotherhood of the military. Adopting a military-like structure and the name from Mexican bandits, the club grew in notoriety. After Chambers' conviction for murder, the club continued to evolve, becoming involved in organized crime activities such as drug trafficking and gun running. The Bandidos' secretive nature and strict code of conduct contributed to their rise as a formidable one-percenter club, despite internal and external challenges.
đĢ International Tensions: Bandidos vs. Hells Angels
The Bandidos' expansion into international territories led to conflicts with the Hells Angels, particularly in Northern Europe. Drive-by shootings and violent acts became common as both clubs sought to establish their dominance in the drug and arms trafficking business. A significant event in 1996 at the Copenhagen Airport saw a deadly ambush by the Hells Angels, which the Bandidos later retaliated against with a rocket-propelled grenade attack at a Hells Angels party. These incidents highlighted the Bandidos' willingness to engage in extreme violence to protect their interests.
đī¸ Truce and Transition: Jeff Pike's Leadership
Following the chaos, a truce was called between the Bandidos and Hells Angels, allowing the Bandidos to continue under the leadership of Jeff Pike, who had been steadily rising through the ranks. Pike, a former altar boy turned biker, was known for his ability to lead a double life, balancing his role in the Bandidos with his family life and a legitimate business. His ascent to power, along with John Portillo, marked a new phase for the club, which would see further expansion and transformation.
đĨ Bandido Women and the Role of 'Property'
The script delves into the role of women within the Bandidos, who are considered 'property' or 'old ladies' of the club members. Women serve the club and can carry out orders, but they are never full members. Tara, a former chapter girl, shares her experience of being part of the Bandidos, detailing the power dynamics and the expectations placed on her. She also recounts her involvement in criminal activities, such as running an escort service and dealing drugs, which were used to fund the club's operations.
đĄī¸ Gangland Hit and the Toll of Bandido Life
Tara's story continues with a deadly mission to avenge a Bandido's death, which leads to her infiltration of a rival gang and a tragic love affair. The Bandidos' brutal retaliation and the subsequent reward of a 'Expect No Mercy' patch highlight the violent and unforgiving nature of the club. Despite the risks and the moral compromises, Tara felt a sense of privilege and loyalty to the Bandidos, underscoring the complex dynamics within the biker community.
đ Bandidos' Expansion and Internal Power Struggles
The narrative shifts to the Bandidos' growth and the internal power struggles that arise. Jeff Pike's decision to divide the club into North and South America factions, and the rest of the world, sparks a rebellion within the club. The Toronto chapter's mutiny and the subsequent violent 'cleansing' orchestrated by Weiner, a Bandidos enforcer, reveal the extreme measures taken to maintain control and discipline within the organization.
đ¨ Law Enforcement's Focus on Bandidos' Activities
As the Bandidos' influence grows, so does law enforcement's scrutiny. The club's activities, including the murder of Anthony Benesh, a member of the Hells Angels, come under investigation. The Bandidos' code of silence, Omerta, and their secretive operations make it difficult for authorities to gather evidence. However, the conviction of a former Bandido for the execution of a rival gang member offers a potential lead for further prosecutions.
đĄī¸ Bandidos' Resilience and Adaptation Post-Leadership Shake-up
Despite internal divisions and law enforcement pressure, the Bandidos undergo a transformation under Jeff Pike and John Portillo's leadership. They expand their international presence and engage in sophisticated criminal activities, forming alliances with prison gangs to control the drug trade. The club's resilience is evident as they adapt to the challenges posed by law enforcement and rival gangs, maintaining their status as a formidable criminal organization.
đ The Downfall of Bandidos' Leadership
The culmination of the Bandidos' story sees the arrest of top leaders Jeff Pike and John Portillo on racketeering charges, which include murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and extortion. The trial of Jake Carrizal, the president of the Dallas chapter, ends in a mistrial, reflecting the difficulty in securing convictions against the Bandidos. However, a Christmas card sent by the Bandidos provides a crucial piece of evidence linking the club to the murder of Robert Lara, leading to the eventual conviction of Pike and Portillo.
đ Aftermath of Waco and the Bandidos' Ongoing Influence
In the wake of the Waco shootout and the imprisonment of its leaders, the Bandidos are believed to have become more adept at concealing their criminal activities. The release of charges in the remaining Twin Peaks cases leaves a sense of injustice and empowers the gang to continue their operations. Despite the loss of key members and the challenges they face, the Bandidos persist as a global criminal syndicate with a significant membership across multiple countries.
đ The Bandidos' Global Reach and the Unseen Cost of Their Activities
The final paragraph highlights the Bandidos' expansion into a global criminal organization with up to 2,500 members in 13 countries. The club's evolution into a sophisticated and organized entity poses a significant danger. While the exact number of lives lost to the Bandidos is unknown, the impact on the lives of those associated with the club is profound, reflecting the far-reaching and destructive nature of their activities.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄBandidos
đĄOutlaw Motorcycle Gangs
đĄTwin Peaks shootout
đĄTerritory
đĄRacketeering
đĄOne-percenter
đĄPatch
đĄDrug trafficking
đĄGang warfare
đĄLaw enforcement
đĄConspiracy
đĄRetaliation
đĄChapter
đĄMistrial
Highlights
A massive shootout between the Bandidos and Cossacks at a Waco, Texas restaurant resulted in 9 deaths and 177 arrests.
The Bandidos, Texas' largest biker club, had a long-standing rivalry with the Cossacks over territory and the right to wear a 'Texas' patch.
The Bandidos were founded in 1966 by Donald Chambers, adopting a military-style structure and the rebellious ethos of Mexican bandits.
Club members are expected to earn their patches and positions through loyalty and deeds for the club.
The Bandidos have been involved in various criminal activities including drug trafficking, gun running, and extortion.
Jeff Pike, a key member of the Bandidos, rose through the ranks to become president and expanded the club's criminal enterprises.
The Bandidos had a truce with the Hells Angels, but it eventually broke down, leading to violent conflicts worldwide.
A former chapter girl of the Bandidos revealed the role of women in the club, often serving as property or 'old ladies' to members.
Internal Bandidos conflicts led to a power struggle and the brutal murder of eight members by fellow Bandido Weiner.
Despite the Bandidos' reputation and criminal activities, law enforcement has had difficulty penetrating the secretive organization.
The Bandidos' expansion into international territories and their alliance with the Texas Mexican Mafia increased their drug trafficking operations.
A mutiny within the Toronto chapter and the subsequent 'internal cleansing' resulted in a high-profile trial and convictions.
Jeff Pike and John Portillo were eventually arrested and convicted on racketeering charges, including murder and drug trafficking.
The Bandidos have continued to operate and expand globally, with up to 2,500 members in 13 countries.
The Waco shootout resulted in no convictions for the Bandidos involved, leading to controversy and criticism.
The Bandidos' leadership vacuum post-Pike has led to a more dangerous and sophisticated criminal organization.
Transcripts
-Sunday, high noon.
A busy strip mall in Waco, Texas is about to become a war zone.
As churchgoers return from service,
the parking lot at the Twin Peaks restaurant
suddenly fills with 200 bikers in town.
They're there for a big biker conference called
the Confederation of Clubs.
-This was kind of like a United Nations assembly,
if you will, of bikers.
-Members of the Bandidos,
the largest and most infamous club in Texas,
arrived to find that a rival gang, the Cossacks,
have taken over the patio.
-You had a large amount of bikers
from two rival factions show up.
-It became clear
that this was not just going to be a Sunday morning meeting.
-The Bandidos and the Cossacks
had been at each other's throats for months.
-There were incidents across Texas.
People were getting hurt.
-Tensions with the Cossacks
came down to a patch called the bottom rocker.
The Bandidos wear "TEXAS" in capital letters.
No other club has that right.
-Who wears it is a big thing.
We won't certainly tell anybody they can't wear it.
We tell them they should earn it.
Because in the biker world,
everything you wear is earned, right?
You don't earn it, you don't wear it.
-Legendary Bandido Jerry Pierson, AKA Scratch,
rolls into the parking lot
and sees the lot full of rival bikers.
He knows something's about to go off.
-Everybody had been told to kind of keep their eyes out.
There's something that's not going right.
-Scratch is right.
Someone has snitched to the Waco Police
and they're ready and waiting with SWAT teams in tow.
-We get off of our bikes and they all come out to the patio.
And all hell breaks loose.
[ Gunshots ]
-Three small caliber shots happen.
And at that point in time, everybody took off running.
[ Gunshots ]
And then I start hearing rifle fire.
-Three of their SWAT officers opened fire.
-That was going on behind me.
That was going on with that patio.
They were bum-rushing me.
You try to survive, protect your brother.
A couple of guys had that metal whip out, come up behind me,
beat me in the back of my head.
-It was just chaos, and pandemonium, and blood,
and people were running for cover to save their lives.
-It was a shootout that looked like a scene
out of Quentin Tarantino movie.
[ Sirens wailing ]
-By the time it's over, nine bikers are dead on the pavement,
177 people are arrested.
-I saw everything from pistol casings to rifle casings.
There were pools of blood.
One of the most violent,
gruesome crime scenes I've seen in 35 years of service.
-The Bandidos were packing all kinds of weapons,
hundreds of weapons.
AK-47s in their cars, knives in their boots, Glocks.
-The Bandidos pin the death toll on the police.
-The crime scene after Waco was horrific.
It was a over-the-top reaction by law enforcement.
-The shootout goes down as the worst massacre
in biker history
and locks in the Bandidos as biker legends.
-The Waco incident really put the Bandidos on the map.
Probably the most significant event ever in the United States
involving outlaw motorcycle gangs as far
as violence is concerned.
-They did refer to them as the mafia on two wheels.
âĒâĒ
-They're war mongers.
I mean, this is part of their identity and their persona.
âĒâĒ
-Every young guy likes the outlaw,
whether it's, you know, in movies or whatever.
Who wouldn't want to be an outlaw?
âĒâĒ
âĒâĒ
[ Motorcycle engines revving ]
-The Bandidos are founded in 1966 in San Leon, Texas
by a Vietnam vet named Donald Eugene Chambers, AKA Mother.
Back then, the Hells Angels are the biggest biker gang
on the map,
but they haven't staked their claim in Texas.
Chambers sees an opening and jumps.
-They come home from serving their tours of duty
and they're looking for a brotherhood
like they had with their military brothers.
-Chambers adopts the colors of the Marine Corps,
scarlet and gold,
and sets up a chain of command from his time as a Marine.
-He adopted many of the same rank and file
structure that they had come from.
They have a president, a vice president,
a sergeant-at-arms, treasurer, secretary, a road captain.
And so there's an organized structure to this gang
which makes them different from street gangs.
-He takes the name of the Mexican bandits
who live by their own rules,
the Bandidos.
The back of every cut is emblazoned with the club name,
the territory, and center most,
the club's emblem, the fat Mexican.
-Now what does that mean to me?
Everything.
The fact I'm in the Bandidos
means I'm a known gang member just for wearing it.
-By 1974, Donald Chambers flames out.
-Donald Chambers is the brother
that started the whole thing
and he ended up getting convicted of murder.
-He tracks down two drug dealers who tried
to cheat the gang by passing off baking soda as amphetamines.
He orders the dealers to dig their own graves.
Then one by one, he takes them out.
[ Gunshot ]
-Back in the early days,
outlaw bikers were outlaw bikers to the full extent.
-Chambers is sentenced to life, but the club rides on.
-To survive that long, think about it,
and they rise to be the top,
it's pretty impressive.
-Elite one-percenter clubs like the Bandidos
carry a reputation.
They've been called the worst of the worst.
-The one-percenters are pretty much willing to do anything
when it comes to their club.
They will really get into the drug game.
They get into the prostitution rings.
They'll get into the murders.
They'll be willing to do pretty much anything.
-It's in the DNA of a person to be a one-percenter and,
you know, they're Type A individuals,
very competitive, you know, alpha males,
and it's just the nature of the beast.
-Secrecy is sacred, even down to a club member's real name.
-Nobody ever knew my real name.
Names don't repeat themselves
because there's ain't any other Shadow.
There's only one.
You can't replicate somebody else's name.
Only on one condition.
If they're still alive and you go after them
for their permission to use their name.
-Club initiation is broken up into two parts,
hanging around and prospecting.
-I hung around with the Bandidos
as a non-patch wearer for a while.
Kind of like, you know, test driving a car for a little bit
and they were test driving me.
-As time goes on,
the club makes a big move into organized crime.
-That criminal activity involves drug trafficking,
gun running, you know, extortion,
things of that nature.
So that's what you're really signing on to.
-The club will use anything they can to get what they want.
Intimidation is a tool.
-By the mid-'90s,
the Bandidos are fast becoming a force across the country,
moving roughly $100 million in gun running, meth, and cocaine.
-They're involved in the meth trade,
in drug trafficking, in arms deals,
and they're very instrumental
and very savvy in having this network
so that they can keep growing and expanding their enterprise.
-Members pay dues back to the gang
for the privilege of belonging
and a lot of those dues that are paid back are elicit.
They're derived from criminal activities.
-There was just one problem.
The Hells Angels.
-The Hells Angels is the gold standard
of the outlaw biker world.
-For years, the Hells Angels and the Bandidos
coexisted under a shaky truce.
-It amounted to respect.
If a Hells Angel wanted to travel from California
to Florida and they were going to go through Texas,
it was expected that they would call Bandidos' members in Texas,
say, "Hey, we're going to be driving through,
riding our motorcycles through," and ask for permission.
-Before long, that truce goes up in smoke.
Over the next two decades,
tensions explode around the world.
Nothing is off limits.
-Deaths were in the dozens and it became an all-out war.
-Things had never been good between the two clubs
in Northern Europe,
where drive-bys and shootings had become the status quo.
-The reason they're all vying for territory
and trying to put their foothold
into international countries and organizations
is because it's helping them grow their business.
And their business is drug trafficking and
arms trafficking.
-It's just a matter of time
before the Hells Angels make their move.
In March 1996, it all goes down at the Copenhagen Airport.
Members of the Bandidos and Hells Angels
are returning home from a biker conference.
In a twist of fate, they're all booked on the same flights.
By the time those flights land,
the Hells Angels are ready and waiting.
The Bandidos exit the gate and head to their cars.
At that moment,
half a dozen Hells Angels appear out of nowhere
in the parking lot and open fire.
Bullets hit the cars point blank.
One Bandido is killed and three are injured.
A few months later, the Bandidos retaliate.
-The Hells Angels in Copenhagen
hosted an annual Viking party at their club house.
-Over 150 people are attending the party.
Some are gang members. Most aren't.
âĒâĒ
Suddenly, a rocket-propelled grenade penetrates the side
of the building's concrete walls and slams into the bar.
Two people are killed and 19 are seriously injured.
The RPG had been stolen from a nearby weapons stash
of the Swedish army.
-It's not going to be easy for anybody to get
an RPG rocket launcher or anything like that.
But overseas,
you've got -- black markets are a complete different thing,
and I'm sure the one-percenters got their hands in
those black markets,
so it would be easy for them to pick up that hardware.
-Law enforcement doesn't hold back.
They call the Bandidos "kamikaze pilots"
who are "scum."
-The people that are attracted to these gangs,
that are recruited into these gangs
have that military background. They're trained in combat.
They train other people in that club.
-The authorities have had little luck penetrating
these secretive gangs.
They're now pinning their hopes on persuading both sides
to sign a peace agreement.
-After the missile attack,
both clubs realize chaos is bad for business.
There's a truce.
-A truce has been called between the leader
of the Hells Angels and the head of the rival Bandido gang.
-And the Bandidos ride on.
This new phase is being led by a Bandido
who's steadily ascending up the command chain.
He's got a talent few people possess.
He's an expert at leading a double life.
-Jeff Pike was one of the long-time Bandidos members.
He had been a member since 1979.
-Pike is a former altar boy who's come from California,
yet thou shall not kill doesn't apply to him.
-He moved to Texas at 18,
allegedly because the drinking law made it legal
to consume alcohol at 18.
He started working in construction
and then bought a motorcycle.
And it wasn't until after that that he joined the Bandidos.
-He's a family man who restores classic cars
for a living as he bides his time.
-He rose through the ranks slowly.
-The new Bandidos are not the old Bandido.
We get along with everybody.
-One day, Pike meets a heating and air conditioning
repairman from San Antonio.
His name is John Portillo.
The two men form a bond that would span decades
and take the Bandidos from a biker club
to a worldwide multimillion dollar criminal enterprise.
-Jeff was a unique cat, man.
He was so laid back.
I mean, and the dynamic between the two.
John, you knew he was coming at you.
Jeff was silent and he seemed like a CEO businessman.
They did complement each other.
-There's one person
who will be crucial to helping Jeff Pike and John Portillo
in their rise to power,
and she's never told her story on camera until now.
-[Bleep] is my name
and I am chapter girl of the Bandido motorcycle club.
-For the first time,
a former chapter girl of the Bandidos biker club
has agreed to appear on camera.
Her face is obscured for her protection.
Tara is married to a cop and a mother of two
when she's first introduced to Andrew "Corky" Gomez,
vice president of the Southwest San Antonio Bandidos.
-He pulls up with six motorcycles into the front yard.
That was the moment I felt the power.
-Tara starts an affair with Corky with no idea
that it will place her on a collision course
with Jeff Pike and John Portillo's rise to power.
Bandido women fit into a distinct role --
property of or proud Bandido old ladies.
-An old lady is a wife of or the girlfriend of a member.
-Women are never made members, but they can be property of.
They are there to serve.
-I was property of Southwest San Antonio Chapter.
I was a piece of property.
I was like a motorcycle.
I never knew I could say no, and I was okay with that.
-They have an identity. They have a purpose.
They can carry out some of the orders of the gang
and rise up in rank.
-Tara gets a rude awakening on Bandido life.
-For the first year, and this is a bylaw,
everything belongs to the club.
They will take everything out of your house,
your tool shed, your, you know, garage,
pretty much take whatever they want.
-Tara runs the escort service and deals drugs,
giving her easy access to meth.
-Well, I did a lot of drugs.
Back then, it was crank, suitcases full of it.
I would do the drops and the pickups.
I didn't make money. [ Chuckles ]
The club made money.
-Dealing meth is big business.
The drugs come from Mexico,
worth an estimated $600 million on the street.
-The Bandidos got a better deal when buying bulk narcotics
because they had the organization behind them.
They were a known commodity, a known organization,
so there was no risk to their supplier
that they would be ripped off or turned into the police.
-The drug money funds Bandido activities,
including a large cut
that goes to chapter president John Portillo.
-Drug dealing eventually gets to the national chapter.
John would send people over to pick up the money.
He knew how many calls I would take the girls on.
-In 2001,
when a Bandido is shot and killed outside a billiards club,
the Bandidos are out for blood.
-They made T-shirts that said, "Cut one, we all bleed."
They conducted their own investigation
and then concocted a plan to retaliate.
-The club learns the killer is a member
of the Two Six gang named Robert Lara.
That's when Corky asked Tara to undertake a deadly mission,
one that will lead to disaster.
-Andrew said,
"We really need to get those people that got my brother.
Will you do that, baby? Do you love me, baby?"
And I said, "Yeah, I love you. I can bring him to you."
-Tara agrees to infiltrate the Two Six gang
by sleeping with Robert Lara.
-I was the decoy.
Nobody anticipated me to be with the Bandido motorcycle club.
-She did that over the course of several months,
including getting romantically involved with Robert Lara.
-Robert broke down and he told me, "I killed a Bandido."
I acted like I had no idea and he just started crying.
-But after months of gaining Lara's trust,
Tara finds out that Two Six gang members
have been tipped off to her Bandido connection
and plan to kill her.
She goes to John Portillo.
-I was going to die that Friday.
That was for sure.
John said, "They're going to kill you?"
And I said, "Yes, they're going to kill me."
And then he said, "Okay. We'll take care of it."
-The Bandidos hash out a plan.
Tara will lure Robert Lara to a rest stop south of San Antonio.
-I knew this would be this guy's last day.
I bought him the best beer he wanted.
We were kind of drunk, at that point, you know?
A lot of time went by.
I kept thinking, like, "When are these people coming?"
Then, out of nowhere, the passenger door opens,
they rip him out, and he's like, "Don't hurt her.
Don't hurt her."
I still remember that.
And they shot him, I think, 16 times.
-For Tara, there is no remorse.
-It was either me or him.
I had no conscience. I was just a soldier.
-Bandidos involved in the murder are rewarded with patches
that say, "Expect No Mercy."
The patch is said to be given to any member
who has drawn or spilled blood for the club.
-That patch is famous.
If you're wearing it, you would owe to the club.
You had to make that choice.
If I had that day back, I'd give the patch back.