Christopher Bingham, a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy, will learn on Wednesday if he will stand trial for allegedly possessing firearms and explosive devices for the benefit of the Mongols motorcycle gang.
Bingham’s preliminary hearing concluded on Monday, with his attorney, Jeff G. Moore, challenging the merits of the deputy’s arrest in March and the subsequent search of his home. During the search, investigators seized a large cache of weapons, including assault rifles, silencers, and explosive devices. They also found Mongols-related memorabilia, such as a fully patched leather vest and a helmet with Mongols stickers.
Moore argued that the deputy was carrying a loaded firearm as a sworn peace officer, which is legal. He also claimed that the search warrant was overly broad and failed to specifically state Bingham’s status as a deputy.
However, Deputy District Attorney Alberto Juan countered that there is probable cause to believe Bingham was associating with Mongols gang members and carrying firearms. He noted that Bingham was riding with two fully patched Mongols members at the time of his arrest and that the weapons found in his home were believed to be for the gang’s benefit.
The judge presiding over the case said he needed time to consider the arguments and will issue his decision on Wednesday. If Bingham is ordered to stand trial, he could face serious charges, including being an active participant in a criminal street gang.
Authorities identified Bingham as a “hangaround” of the Mongols, someone who associates with and rides with gang members but is not an official member. They believe that he provided the gang with weapons and training and that he stole a less-than-lethal shotgun from the sheriff’s station where he was assigned.
Bingham served as a correctional deputy at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and as an armorer at the sheriff’s Morongo Basin station in Joshua Tree. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2002 and received several commendations.
