This biker gang was a problem, and they caused a shooting to break out at a local Florida gas station, which led to a joint law enforcement investigation between the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, DEA, and the FBI Jacksonville Division. In March, rival gangs encountered each other at a gas station in New Smyrna Beach during Bike Week. It led to an all-out brawl, where shots rang out. Months later, over two dozen suspects were rounded up, but the name for this operation was too perfect.
The biker gang targeted by law enforcement was called the Mongols, so, of course, Operation Mongolian Beef is fitting. Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood shared videos of the incident. The melee was between rivals, the Mongols and Warlocks gang (via NBC Miami):
The FBI arrested dozens of members of the Mongols motorcycle gang & named the operation "Mongolian Beef." 😭 pic.twitter.com/DLlrbSGhcr
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 2, 2025
Dozens of alleged members of biker gangs were arrested following a New Smyrna Beach shooting during Bike Week, according to NBC affiliate WESH.
The shooting occurred on March 8, and 28 people were taken into custody on July 2 in connection to the incident after an effort called Operation Mongolian Beef.
The operation involved nine sheriff's offices across Florida as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
The crime allegedly involved the "Mongols" and "Warlock" biker gangs who were seen on camera at a RaceTrac gas station and were caught on video by bystanders.
At the gas station, rival gangs got into a fight, and several shots were fired.
Two people were injured, but there were no fatalities.
From the DOJ press release:
The following individuals have been charged with aggravated rioting related to the gas station shooting that occurred in New Smyrna Beach during Bike Week on March 8, 2025:
- Tyler Maxamillian Araya
- Max Martin Bastuardo
- Gary Robert Bedsaul (arrest still pending)
- John Paul Bertrand
- Christopher Allen Boyd
- Peri John Butler
- Pablo Jorge Cardoza Baptista
- Jarrad Bryce Cawley
- Francis G. Gomez
- Daniel Hernandez
- Sean Jeffery Hoholik
- Trevor Frank Kopp (arrest still pending)
- Kevin Koul
- Matthew David Limperatos
- Daniel William Macumber
- Robert Brandon Maness
- Shawn Anthony Marshall
- Steve Patino-Rangel
- Justin Ballard Perry
- Chadwick Lee Price
- Michael Angel Rodriguez
- Mario Silvestri (arrest still pending)
- Spencer Ryan Skipworth
- Timothy Adam Stephens
- Joseph Harry James Summerhill
- Anthony Christopher Trimboli
- Jacob Rolando Velez
- Clinton Neal Walker (previously arrested and charged related to this shooting)
- Douglas Ray White
- Kash Williams
- Gaige Alexander Wilson
Aggravated rioting (Florida Statute 870.01 3) is when a person participates in a riot of 25 or more other people. It is a second-degree felony and punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The FBI and partners also executed 14 search warrants, including at the Mongols Clubhouse in Edgewater, Florida; four homes in Volusia County; three homes in Brevard County; two homes in Miami-Dade County; one home in Chesterfield County, Virginia; one home in Palm Beach County; and two homes in Polk County.
[…]
“The FBI has made a commitment to all Americans that we will crush violent crime across the country. I’m proud to share that the FBI is delivering our commitment to you here in Florida. Operation Mongolian Beef is just one example of how the FBI brings our full force of investigative capabilities to assist our law enforcement partners and protect our communities. There is no doubt Volusia County and, in fact, the entire state of Florida is safer today with these violent offenders off the street,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley.
Good operation, folks. And, again, excellent name choice for the joint operation.
NBC Miami added that 38 handguns, 15 rifles, $10,000 in cash, meth, fentanyl, and marijuana were discovered during the searches.
