Three arraigned in Vagos raid

All three defendants entered not guilty pleas and denied all allegations, according to prosecutors. They're scheduled to return to court Oct. 18.

A sixth man, Vagos International President Pastor Fausto Palafox, turned himself in to authorities Thursday evening at West Valley Detention Center, in Rancho Cucamonga. He was released from custody early Friday morning, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities were not immediately sure when Palafox would appear in court.

The four defendants were charged in connection with a massive 18-month, seven-county investigation into the "upper echelon" of Vagos members by state and local authorities.

District Attorney Michael A. Ramos called the Vagos "a ruthless, criminal motorcycle gang" that has terrorized local communities since the 1960s, at a news conference Thursday at San Bernardino Police Department.

"Those crimes that were committed in San Bernardino County, they will be prosecuted to the fullest," Ramos said.

Hundreds of handguns and other weapons, including an anti-tank weapon and a rocket launcher, as well as body armor, cocaine, methemphetamine and Vagos clothing were seized by law enforcement officers.

Caeser Rodriguez, 35, of Oak Hills, has a warrant for his arrest and remained at-large, according to prosecutors. Michael Starnes, 42, of Ontario, was in custody at West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, battery and participating in a criminal street gang, according to the sheriff's department.

However, Starnes had not been charged by prosecutors as of Friday afternoon.

Rodrigues, Rivera, 46, and Palafox, 47, are charged with vehicle theft involving a Harley Davidson motorcycle, possession of the stolen motorcycle and street terrorism occurring on Nov. 24, according to a criminal complaint.

Lozano, 35, is charged with possession of body armor and street terrorism occurring on Dec. 22. He has prior convictions for discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and possession of a stolen vehicle in San Bernardino County and transportation of a controlled substance in Los Angeles County, according to a criminal complaint.

Gibson, 60, faces charges of possession of marijuana for sale and street terrorism occurring on April 19, the criminal complaint states.

Most of the charges filed in the case also have an added allegation of benefitting a criminal street gang.

Rivera is being held on $250,000 bail at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. At West Valley Detention Center, Gibson is being in lieu of $250,000 bail, while Lozano is being held in lieu of $450,000 bail.