8A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY HALL KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008
NATIONAL
Motorcycle gang arrested
Murder, assault, gun and drug violations all included in charges
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Law enforcement officers investigate the home of Ruben Cavazos, former national president of the Mongol motorcycle gang, Tuesday in West Covina, Calif. At least 38 members of the Southern California-based motorcycle gang were arrested under a federal radeeteering indictment that included charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, as well as gun and drug violations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Mike Hoffman said.
LOS ANGELES — Dozens of burly, tattoo-covered members of the Mongol motorcycle gang were arrested Tuesday by federal agents in six states following a three-year investigation in which undercover agents infiltrated the group.
At least 38 members of the Southern California-based Mongol Motorcycle Club were arrested under a federal racketeering indictment that included charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, as well as gun and drug violations, said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Mike Hoffman.
During some arrests, sharpshooters stood guard on surrounding rooftops as motorcycles were lined up and confiscated.
"It's going to be a large hit to their organization. We are arresting many of their top members," Hoffman said.
Among those arrested were the gang's former national president, Ruben Cavazos.
Federal and local agents had 110 federal arrest warrants and 160 search warrants that were being served across Southern California and in Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington and Ohio. The sweep, dubbed Operation Black Rain, was to continue throughout the day Tuesday, agents said.
Hoffman said the Mongols had been recruiting members of Los Angeles street gangs to assist in their operations.
The Mongols are primarily Latino and formed because the Hells Angels refused to allow Hispanic members.
Four ATF agents infiltrated the gang and were accepted as full members, a difficult process that requires winning the trust of the gang's top leaders over a period of
months, Hoffman said.
The agents were required to live away from their families in homes set up to make it look like they lived a Mongols lifestyle, Hoffman said. Four undercover women ATF agents also were involved in the operation, pretending to be biker girlfriends and attending parties with the agents; women are not allowed to become full members of the gang.
"If you go to a party all the time and you don't ever bring a girl around, it's kind of weird," Hoffman said. "Someone might get suspicious."
To be accepted in the gang, the ATF agents had to run errands and were subject to a background check by private detectives.
Outside Cavazos' home in West Cowina, about 18 miles east of Los Angeles, a red, custom-modified Harley-Davidson motorbike sat outside. No occupants were home but several police and ATF agents were seen going through items in the house.
Cavazos wrote a memoir titled "Honor Few, Fear None: The Life and Times of a Mongol," published by HarperCollins in June.
HarperCollins publicist Sarah Burningham in New York City said she only handled book-related issues for Cavazos, but would forward an e-mail from The Associated Press requesting comment.
At least 22 motorcycles were on display outside the Los Angeles Police Department's main building Tuesday morning. All were modified, chrome-covered Harleys with custom artwork. One had a fiberglass skull on the clutch, another's kick stand had been modified to make it look like bird talons. Several bore Mongols insignia.
Las Vegas police reported serving several warrants at homes in southern Nevada, where five men were in federal custody pending an appearance before a federal magistrate, said Natalie Collins, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's Las Vegas office.
Airplane company warns employees of challenges
STATE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WICHTA — The chairman and chief executive officer of Hawker Beechcraft Corp. warned its employees that it must take unspecified actions to ensure that the company is prepared for a "very challenging period" amid the turmoil in global financial markets.
for the worst and be positioned for the best," Schuster wrote. "This includes addressing the uncertainty, challenges and opportunities ahead. In doing so, we ensure the long term success of this wonderful company."
In a letter to workers, CEO James Schuster said that Hawker Beechcraft was a highly leveraged company that carried nearly $2.4 billion in debt. He noted that its interest expense this year would be close to $190 million, equivalent to more than $500,000 a day.
"The best way to think about it in my mind is that we must plan
everything," Broom said.
Schuster said employees would be advised during the coming weeks of "necessary actions," although he did not specify what they might be.
Union officials had not yet talked to the company, Machinists spokesman Bob Wood said.
Hawker Beechcraft spokesman Andrew Broom confirmed the letter was mailed to employees last week but declined to comment Tuesday on whether it meant lay-offs were imminent.
Hawker Beechcraft employs more than 9,000 people worldwide. About 7,000 work at the company's Wichita plant.
"It was just talking about what is going on in these economic times — that we are planning for
Schuster wrote that the company's debt burden required it to be exceptionally diligent in the management of its business.
That means, he said, that it is more important than ever to focus on fundamentals; delivering aircraft on time and on budget; improving quality and reducing warranty cost; completing product development programs on schedule; improving productivity; and providing customer support.
GRE $ ^{\mathrm {T M}} $ LSAT $ ^{\mathrm {T M}} $ GMAT $ ^{\mathrm {T M}} $
TEST PREPARATION That's Right on Target.
KU
CONTINUING
EDUCATION
The University of Kansas
Register early! Save $100! Test preparation classes now enrolling.
www.ContinuingEd.ku.edu (keyword: testprep) · 785-864-5823
Pay heed
the Championship Visa $ ^{ \textcircled{r}} $ hath arrived.
The KU Alumni Association proudly introduces the exclusive 2008 Kansas National Championship Platinum Visa.
- Earn great rewards, including those redeemable at the KU bookstores and Alumni Association.
- Get a free gift when you apply for a card during any home game.
- Jayhawk Visa check, credit and gift cards are available exclusively at INTRUST Bank.
To get your card, visit kucard.com, call 800-222-7458 or stop by your neighborhood branch.
K
Ca
re
m