Members of the Mongols motorcycle gang indicted on a federal racketeering case already pleaded guilty

Members of the Mongols motorcycle gang indicted on a federal racketeering case already pleaded guilty before the trial begins this summer, according to court records. Because documents related to the plea agreements and sentencing were sealed, federal authorities on Friday wouldn't say how many of the 79 Mongols members indicted in the case already pled. However, court records show a plea agreement was filed Jan. 22. On Jan. 23, there was a hearing where a plea was accepted. There were no defendants named and the associated documents were sealed. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema El-Amamy said a trial is set for July 21 in the federal courthouse in Los Angeles for those who have not pled.On Wednesday, a judge approved the request by federal prosecutors to seal the records about any pleas. El-Amamy wrote in the request that defendants who wish to plead guilty and cooperate with the prosecution face retaliation from the gang. They and their families could be killed. She pointed out that the Mongols' association with the prison-based Mexican Mafia which regularly orders the killing of people by its associates "raises significant concerns about the safety of the defendants who choose to plead guilty and/or cooperate, as well as the safety of their families." A federal grand jury indicted 79 members and associates of the Mongols gang on Oct. 9, 2008 after a two-year investigation. The 86-count federal racketeering indictment included allegations of murder, attempted murder, assaults, hate crimes, gun violations and drug trafficking. The defendants include Mongols Motorcycle Club national president Ruben Cavazos . Cavazos' attorney, Angel Navarro , said on Friday he wasn't at liberty to discuss the case when asked if his client accepted a plea bargain. About 61 members and associates of the gang were arrested in a federal nationwide sweep in October. Half of the 121 search warrants served in the Southland were in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas. Authorities also seized seven pounds of methamphetamine, 71 guns and 70 motorcycle.