Members of the Mongols motorcycle gang intend to plead guilty to federal charges related to their participation in the violent, outlaw organization, according to court records made public on Thursday. Federal prosecutors say those who admit their guilt will also cooperate in the prosecution of fellow gang members, putting themselves and their families at risk for violent retaliation and murder. In anticipation of the guilty pleas, federal prosecutors have asked a judge to seal all court records pertaining to plea bargains and sentencings. "The government believes that the threat of retaliation is credible and raises significant concerns for the safety of the persons involved," federal prosecutors say in a 5-page document filed in U.S. District Court. Authorities arrested more than 60 reputed Mongols in October as part of a nationwide, federal crackdown on the gang. The arrests concluded a three-year undercover investigation. All were named in an 86-count federal racketeering indictment that included allegations of murder, attempted murder, assaults, hate crimes, gun violations and drug trafficking. Many of the arrests in "Operation Black Rain" were made in the San Gabriel Valley. The Mongols originated in Montebello in the 1970s, but later moved their headquartered to West Covina. In their written request, prosecutors say they believe guilty pleas are coming based on conversations with attorneys representing some of the accused.
They say secrecy is needed in the pleas because gang members would likely harm any fellow member who turned on them. The gang also has ties to the Mexican Mafia, a violent prison gang, meaning any Mongol who cooperates with prosecutors might even be in danger behind bars, prosecutors claim.