LA Judge Denies AP Motion in Mongol Biker Case

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A federal judge has denied a motion by The Associated Press to unseal all plea agreements in a case where dozens of Mongol motorcycle gang members were indicted.

California - U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper on Tuesday said she agreed with the news outlet that some of the plea agreements should be made public. Cooper added she was concerned about the safety of the defendants and their families, given the nature of the charges, an argument made by prosecutors.

"The right of the public to be informed about the resolution of criminal cases is vitally important," Cooper wrote in her order. "However, the presumptive right of access in this case does not outweigh the right of the defendants and their families to be free of physical harm."

Cooper said six of the 25 agreements filed so far remain sealed. One of those belongs to former Mongol national president Ruben "Doc" Cavazos, who pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in January.

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