Brass Knuckle MC Member allegedly had explosive devices
HORIZON CITY, TEXAS (November 3, 2016) - More than 150 explosive devices and materials used to
create them were allegedly found in the home of Horizon City biker arrested
Tuesday on a federal charge of unlawful possession of a machine gun, court
documents show.
Loren Jay Bingaman, 48, was arrested by El Paso Police
Department officers as part of a multi-agency investigation into an assault and
robbery of two members of a motorcycle club on Aug. 3 outside Hot Chicks Wing
House at 2281 N. Zaragoza Road.
Previous Story: Police arrest 7 members of various Motorcycle Clubs
Bingaman was rebooked into El Paso County jail on
Wednesday on a federal charge of unlawful possession of a machine gun after
local, state and federal law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant on
Tuesday at his home in the 400 block of Benton Street in Horizon City,
according to a complaint affidavit.
The agencies investigating the case include the U.S.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, FBI, Texas Department of
Public Safety, El Paso Police Department and the Horizon City Police
Department.
State troopers allegedly found a box they suspected
contained explosives in a garage at Bingaman’s home.
U.S. Army Explosives Ordnance Disposal officials were
called to help identify the possible explosives, documents state.
Confiscated vest's
Ordnance disposal officials allegedly found 151 training
grenade blasting caps and four military-type flares. They told ATF agents that
the blasting caps and flares are “considered an explosive device that can cause
bodily injury and are therefore not manufactured for the public,” the affidavit
states.
Investigators also found multiple firearms in a storage
room in the garage, documents state. One of the weapons was allegedly an “AK
style closed bolt rifle.” Another rifle was allegedly found on a workbench in
the garage.
Disposal officials also found potassium chlorate and
potassium nitrate in 14 plastic containers; aluminum flakes in nine plastic
containers; several bags containing potassium nitrate; and 10 grenade hulls
which were welded shut at one end, the affidavit states.
Documents state that the chemical precursors, blasting
caps and the grenade hulls gave Bingaman the “ability to manufacture a
functional explosive device.”
ATF agents checked the National Firearms Registry
Transaction Record and Federal Licensing System and found that Bingaman was not
registered to possess destructive devices or machine guns, documents state.
Investigators also found another suspected machine gun in
“various states of manufacture and assembly” in a storage shelf within a shed
at the home, the affidavit states.
The search warrant executed on Bingaman’s home came after
the El Paso Police Department arrested him and seven other bikers on Tuesday in
connection with the assault-robbery case in East El Paso in August.
Believed to be a member of the Brass Knuckle motorcycle
club, Bingaman was arrested on one count of engaging in organized criminal
activity-aggravated robbery. He posted a $50,000 bond on the state charge on
Wednesday, but was rebooked on the federal charge the same day.
According to jail records, no bond has been set on the
federal charge as of Thursday afternoon. Bingaman remained in El Paso County
jail at that time.
The other reputed Brass Knuckle motorcycle club member
arrested in the case was Jose Luis Holguin, 41.
Also arrested were members of the One motorcycle club,
including Arnulfo Ramirez, 42; Dean Rascon, 45; Alejandro Jimenez, 40; and
Aaron Michael Palmer, 37.
Bandidos member Carlos Sepulveda, 48, was also arrested.
Several leaders of the Bandidos were previously arrested
in August in connection with the assault-robbery case. The leaders arrested
were Bandidos chapter president Juan Martinez, 60; sergeant-at-arms James
Heredia, 45; and secretary Thomas Decarlo, 32.
SOURCE: ElPaso Times