Bandidos biker gang leader pleads guilty in Texas

Charges are for racketeering, drug trafficking, extortion. A gunfight in May 2015 during a bikers’ meeting in Waco left nine people dead and led to more than 170 arrests.

Authorities investigate a shooting in the parking lot of the Twin Peaks restaurant Sun., May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas. Authorities say that the shootout victims were members of rival biker gangs that had gathered for a meeting.  (Jerry Larson / AP file photo)  

SAN ANTONIO—Prosecutors say a Bandidos biker gang leader has pleaded guilty to racketeering, drug trafficking and extortion charges in Texas and faces up to life in federal prison.

Sergeant-at-arms Justin Cole Forster remains in custody in San Antonio pending sentencing next year.

A gunfight in May 2015 during a bikers’ meeting in Waco left nine people dead and led to more than 170 arrests.

Prosecutors in January announced Forster was among several Bandidos leaders indicted and accused of deadly violence against a rival gang since 2013.

Forster pleaded guilty Friday to four counts of a superseding indictment.Three other Bandidos leaders or members charged in the superseding indictment await trial.

Prosecutors say the investigation involved conspiracy to participate in murder, attempted murder, robbery, extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking.

The Bandidos once had chapters in Canada, which were at war with the Hells Angels.

The Canadian Bandidos were thrown out en masse a decade ago by the club’s American headquarters for disciplinary reasons.

That explusion came shortly before eight former members and associates were murdered near London, Ont. by other former members and associates.