Frank Girardot
pasadenastarnews.com
California - LOS ANGELES - A federal judge Tuesday ordered
prosecutors to return former Mongol Al "the Suit" Cavazos' motorcycle.
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter came as Cavazos and
his attorney were prepared to go to trial for return of the bike which Cavazos
said is valued at $35,000.
After a brief hearing, Carter, known as "King David", retired to his chambers for a discussion with attorneys. When he returned to the courtroom, prosecutors announced they didn't want to proceed with a trial, Cavazos said.
"They don't want to deal with me,' he said.
The bike was among included hundreds of rifles, pistols and shotguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, $178,361 in cash, 139 motorcycles, nine cartons of cigarettes, a Daisy BB gun, a Honda Civic, a GMC Yukon and assorted pieces of jewelry taken by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Oct. 9, 2008.
The ATF and federal prosecutors claimed the items represent booty and swag collected by a criminal organization involved in assaults, attempted murder and illegal drug sales over the course of several years.
In recent weeks Carter has returned several items to members of the gang.
Cavazos had hoped to use the hearing to show that ATF agents and a Montebello police officer lied to obtain their RICO indictment against the gang.
After a brief hearing, Carter, known as "King David", retired to his chambers for a discussion with attorneys. When he returned to the courtroom, prosecutors announced they didn't want to proceed with a trial, Cavazos said.
"They don't want to deal with me,' he said.
The bike was among included hundreds of rifles, pistols and shotguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, $178,361 in cash, 139 motorcycles, nine cartons of cigarettes, a Daisy BB gun, a Honda Civic, a GMC Yukon and assorted pieces of jewelry taken by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Oct. 9, 2008.
The ATF and federal prosecutors claimed the items represent booty and swag collected by a criminal organization involved in assaults, attempted murder and illegal drug sales over the course of several years.
In recent weeks Carter has returned several items to members of the gang.
Cavazos had hoped to use the hearing to show that ATF agents and a Montebello police officer lied to obtain their RICO indictment against the gang.