3 more ordered to trial in Hells Angels case

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The three final defendants to have a preliminary hearing in a case involving robbery and assault allegations against members of the Bakersfield chapter of the Hells Angels have been ordered to trial.

Joseph Soto Sr., Joseph Soto Jr. and John Seeger were held to answer Thursday on charges of robbery, assault with a gun, false imprisonment of an elder or dependent adult and participating in a street gang, according to court records.

They have an arraignment date scheduled Sept. 16, at which a trial date will be set.

Ricardo Alvarez, Armando Villasenor, Joshua Zavala and Joshua Vaughn were previously ordered to trial and have an Oct. 21 trial date.

Alvarez, Villasenor, the Sotos and Zavala are patched members of the biker gang, officials say, while Vaughn and Seeger belong to the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Cub — which takes orders from the Hells Angels.

According to sheriff’s reports, the Hells Angels went to their former Bakersfield clubhouse five times from March 1 to April 11.

They encountered an older man who now lives on the property and who tried to stop them from taking items, the reports say.

On their first visit, a member of the gang punched the man then held a .357-caliber handgun to his head, the reports say. The man told investigators numerous items were stolen.

On the final visit, one of the gang members, angry upon finding a signed Willie Nelson guitar he believed the man had hidden, punched and blinded him — at least temporarily — in his right eye, according to the reports.

Multiple search warrants were served and arrests made June 25.

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