A Southern California Sheriff’s Deputy, Christopher Bingham, was arrested for allegedly living a double life as a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang. This accusation came after he was caught riding with two members of the gang in March. Bingham, who had an unloaded, unregistered firearm, was later released from custody. This led to an investigation into his activities by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as they had been monitoring him since January 2024.
Following Bingham’s arrest in March, investigators from the Gangs/Narcotics Division obtained a search warrant for his home in Twentynine Palms, California. During the search, police discovered a substantial number of firearms, including a fully automatic assault rifle with a grenade launcher attached. Additionally, destructive devices, silencers, gang paraphernalia, and a stolen shotgun from the Sheriff’s Department were recovered from his residence. Bingham, who had been with the department for 18 years, was arrested at his home and booked at the West Valley Detention Center.
San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus condemned Bingham’s actions, stating that they were alarming and inexcusable. Bingham was immediately placed on compulsory leave, with his case being referred to the District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office subsequently filed several felony charges against Bingham, including possession of a machine gun, grand theft of a firearm, and participation in a criminal street gang. Bingham’s bail was set at $500,000 following the discovery of his weapons cache.
While the specific outlaw motorcycle gang Bingham was associated with was not disclosed, District Attorney Jason Anderson indicated that Bingham was likely involved with the Mongols. Bingham had also run a gun store called O’Three Tactical in Twentynine Palms, which closed in June 2021 due to financial difficulties. Additionally, Bingham had been involved in a murder trial in 2019, testifying that he had sold a handgun to the perpetrator prior to the crime. Despite these connections, it was not confirmed whether the gun sold by Bingham was used in the murders.
Bingham was charged with possession of a machine gun, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and various other weapons-related offenses. These charges were enhanced due to Bingham’s alleged association with a criminal street gang. The Sheriff’s Department emphasized that criminal behavior would not be tolerated among its ranks. Bingham’s arrest shed light on the potential dangers of law enforcement officers engaging in illegal activities, tarnishing the reputation of the entire department. The case against Bingham was awaiting further proceedings and legal action.
The discovery of Bingham’s extensive firearms collection, including a range of weapons and destructive devices, raised concerns about his involvement with criminal activities and his access to such weapons. The investigation into Bingham’s ties to the outlaw motorcycle gang and the stolen department shotgun highlighted the need for accountability and oversight within law enforcement agencies. As the legal process unfolded, Bingham’s case served as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unethical behavior and the importance of upholding the integrity and credibility of law enforcement institutions.