HOUSTON – A federal judge in Houston set bond at $250,000 Monday for the national president of the Bandidos motorcycle club. Jeffrey Pike pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and drug distribution charges.
Prosecutors had asked for no bond for Pike, who runs the international gang said to have as many as 2,000 members.They alleged Pike is a danger to the community and a flight risk.
But defense attorneys convinced the judge otherwise. They painted Pike as a family man who runs an auto shop in Conroe and has close ties to the community. Pike wiped away tears when his 30-year-old son took the stand.
"It was very hard for him to watch his son testify. He's very proud of his kids and it bothered him to see his son having to come into a criminal court to testify," said Defense Attorney Kent Shaffer. "That's been very scrupulous throughout his adult life to make sure he doesn't get into trouble and now his son is having to come in -- and his daughter -- to testify that he's a good guy."
Pike's mother-in-law also testified on his behalf.
"My son-in-law is a wonderful man," Sharon Caradine said outside the courtroom. "It's rubbish. I think it's a big cover-up for Waco. Sorry, that's all I have to say."
Private investigator Wayne Dolcefino agrees. He was hired by Pike to investigate the Waco shootout at Twin Peaks.
"They were trying to prove their theory that they were set up -- that the Cossacks, in fact, have numbers of law enforcement that were related to them," Dolcefino said. "I think a legitimate investigation should be done by the media, by private investigators, by lawyers to get to the bottom of why so many people died."
Federal agents arrested Pike at his fortified home in Conroe last week following a 23-month investigation.
Two other Bandido leaders -- the national vice president and sergeant at arms -- were arrested last week in San Antonio.
A lengthy indictment accuses the Bandidos of waging a deadly war on the rival Cossacks motorcycle club.
It does not mention the brawl last May at the Twin Peaks Roadhouse that left nine dead and two dozen wounded, but it does describe a series of attacks that allegedly led up to that melee.
The five previous presidents of the Bandidos have done time in prison. Pike was the only one who hadn't been arrested while in office.
He and the other two men face up to life in prison if convicted on all of the charges.
Pike was expected to post bond and be back with his family by Monday night.
