Ruben Cavazos
Encyclopedia
Ruben "Doc" Cavazos is an American
criminal and former International President of the Mongols Motorcycle Club
. His autobiography, Honor Few, Fear None: The Life & Times of a Mongol, was published by HarperCollins
in June 2008.
Cavazos was raised by his padre in Highland Park, Los Angeles, California
and joined the Avenues
, a Mexican American
street gang
, at an early age before serving time in county jail. He has a license to work as a radiology technician, hence the nickname "Doc". He later became a member of the Mongols and is one of the gang's most infamous members. He has been blamed for turning the club into one of the largest criminal organizations on the West Coast of the United States
during his time as President. In order to bolster the gang's ranks, he also recruited members of street gangs into the club, much to the disgust of the old school bikers. He was voted out of the club on August 30, 2008 during a meeting in Vernon, California
, due to the majority of the membership believing that he was stealing from the club and provoking a war with the Mexican Mafia
.
On October 21, 2008, Cavazos and 37 other Mongols were arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
after an investigation into the club, known as Operation Black Rain
. Police raided his 2760 square feet (256.4 m²) home in South Hills
, West Covina, California
, where he lived with his son, Ruben "Lil Rubes" Cavazos Jr, and brother, Al "the Suit" Cavazos, and seized firearms and bulletproof vests. After his arrest during the Operation Black Rain, he pleaded guilty to the racketeering charge and faces up to 20 years in prison.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
criminal and former International President of the Mongols Motorcycle Club
Mongols (motorcycle club)
The Mongols Motorcycle Club, sometimes called the Mongol Nation or Mongol Brotherhood, is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate. The club is headquartered in southern California and was originally formed in Montebello, California in 1969 by Hispanic Vietnam War veterans...
. His autobiography, Honor Few, Fear None: The Life & Times of a Mongol, was published by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
in June 2008.
Cavazos was raised by his padre in Highland Park, Los Angeles, California
Highland Park, Los Angeles, California
Highland Park is a neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles.-Geography:Highland Park is located along the Arroyo Seco. It is situated within what was once Rancho San Rafael of the Spanish / Mexican era...
and joined the Avenues
The Avenues (gang)
The Avenues, also known as Avenidas or AVE's, is a Mexican-American street gang. The Avenues, like most Mexican gangs in Los Angeles, are under the direct control of the Mexican Mafia when sent to State, County, or Federal prisons.- History :...
, a Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
street gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
, at an early age before serving time in county jail. He has a license to work as a radiology technician, hence the nickname "Doc". He later became a member of the Mongols and is one of the gang's most infamous members. He has been blamed for turning the club into one of the largest criminal organizations on the West Coast of the United States
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
during his time as President. In order to bolster the gang's ranks, he also recruited members of street gangs into the club, much to the disgust of the old school bikers. He was voted out of the club on August 30, 2008 during a meeting in Vernon, California
Vernon, California
Vernon is a city five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, California. The population was 112 at the 2010 United States Census, the smallest of any incorporated city in the state....
, due to the majority of the membership believing that he was stealing from the club and provoking a war with the Mexican Mafia
Mexican Mafia
The Mexican Mafia , also known as La Eme , 13 is a Mexican American criminal organization, and is one of the oldest and most powerful prison gangs in the United States.-Foundation:...
.
On October 21, 2008, Cavazos and 37 other Mongols were arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
after an investigation into the club, known as Operation Black Rain
Operation Black Rain
Operation Black Rain was an operation by the ATF in 2008 to stop alleged criminal activity within the Mongols Motorcycle Club.-Background:As part of the operation, four agents became patched members of the club...
. Police raided his 2760 square feet (256.4 m²) home in South Hills
South Hills (California)
The South Hills are a low mountain range of the Transverse Ranges, within the San Gabriel Valley in eastern Los Angeles County, California.The South Hills are north of the Interstate 210 Freeway, in the southern part of the city of Glendora, with the western portion of the hills are in the City of...
, West Covina, California
West Covina, California
West Covina is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. Located some east of Downtown Los Angeles in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, it is a mostly middle class suburb of Los Angeles...
, where he lived with his son, Ruben "Lil Rubes" Cavazos Jr, and brother, Al "the Suit" Cavazos, and seized firearms and bulletproof vests. After his arrest during the Operation Black Rain, he pleaded guilty to the racketeering charge and faces up to 20 years in prison.