Third member of Bandidos pleads to homicide charges from 2006

SAN ANTONIO - A man faces life in federal prison after pleading guilty to a charge in connection with the murder of Hells Angel Anthony Benesh, which took place in 2006, the Department of Justice said Monday.

Jesse James Benavidez, sergeant at arms with the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Organization (link is external), San Antonio Centro Chapter, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime -- specifically, murder in aid of racketeering, officials said in a news release.

Benavidez is the third member of the group to plead guilty.
In 2006, Benesh was trying to start a Texas chapter of the Hells Angels in Austin, according to court records cited in the release.

Members of the Bandidos group warned Benesh to stop his activities and stop recruitment, which Benesh ignored, officials said.

Benavidez and others then killed Benesh on March 18, 2006, outside an Austin restaurant to protect the power, reputation and territory of the Bandidos enterprise, the release said.

Johnny Romo, Bandidos national sergeant at arms, and Bandidos Centro Chapter member Robert Romo pleaded guilty Friday to related federal charges for their roles in the homicide.
Benavidez remains in federal custody. Sentencing is scheduled for May
28, 2018 in San Antonio.

Johnny Romo and Robert Romo also remain in federal custody. Their sentencings are scheduled for May 14, 2018, and May 21, 2018, respectively, officials said.


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