TWENTY-NINE PALMS, CA - A 45-year-old veteran deputy sheriff with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Christopher Bingham, was arrested and charged with multiple felony counts, including weapons violations and participation in a criminal street gang, authorities announced.
The investigation into Deputy Bingham, a resident of Twentynine Palms, began in January 2024. Bingham, an 18-year veteran of the department, was suspected of having ties to the notorious Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
Bingham had a side-hustle as the owner of O'Three Tactical, a gun shop located in Twentynine Palms, which closed its doors in June 2021 after six years in operation.
During a 2019 double-murder trial, Bingham testified that he had sold a 45-caliber handgun to the defendant before the killings. Investigators had been monitoring Bingham's activities secretly since January, suspecting his association with the motorcycle group.
On March 23, 2024, a detective following Bingham observed him riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle alongside two other Mongols gang members near Onaga Trail and Elk Trail in Yucca Valley.
With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, a traffic stop was conducted on Bingham and the two gang members.
During a search, a loaded, unregistered firearm was found on Bingham's person, leading to his immediate arrest. He was booked at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at Bingham's residence on Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms. There, investigators discovered an arsenal of approximately 160 firearms, including a modified fully automatic assault rifle with an attached grenade launcher, a customized AR-15 assault rifle with a 12-inch barrel, silencers, and a stolen San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department shotgun.
Additionally, gang paraphernalia associated with the Mongols was found at his residence.
Based on the findings, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed several felony charges against Bingham.
These charges include possession of a machine gun, possession of a short-barreled rifle, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a destructive device, possession of silencers, and participation in a criminal street gang.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus condemned Bingham's actions, stating, “The actions of this deputy are alarming and inexcusable; he not only tarnishes his badge but also undermines the integrity and credibility of the entire department. Criminal behavior will not be tolerated, and we have placed him on compulsory leave effective immediately.”
Bingham, who earned $288,012 in pay and benefits in 2022 according to Transparent California, was booked at the West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $500,000. He is expected to be arraigned by video on Monday, April 8.
District Attorney Jason Anderson stated, “This appears to involve the Mongols, without question.”
The investigation into Deputy Bingham, a resident of Twentynine Palms, began in January 2024. Bingham, an 18-year veteran of the department, was suspected of having ties to the notorious Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
Bingham had a side-hustle as the owner of O'Three Tactical, a gun shop located in Twentynine Palms, which closed its doors in June 2021 after six years in operation.
During a 2019 double-murder trial, Bingham testified that he had sold a 45-caliber handgun to the defendant before the killings. Investigators had been monitoring Bingham's activities secretly since January, suspecting his association with the motorcycle group.
On March 23, 2024, a detective following Bingham observed him riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle alongside two other Mongols gang members near Onaga Trail and Elk Trail in Yucca Valley.
With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, a traffic stop was conducted on Bingham and the two gang members.
During a search, a loaded, unregistered firearm was found on Bingham's person, leading to his immediate arrest. He was booked at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at Bingham's residence on Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms. There, investigators discovered an arsenal of approximately 160 firearms, including a modified fully automatic assault rifle with an attached grenade launcher, a customized AR-15 assault rifle with a 12-inch barrel, silencers, and a stolen San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department shotgun.
Additionally, gang paraphernalia associated with the Mongols was found at his residence.
Based on the findings, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed several felony charges against Bingham.
These charges include possession of a machine gun, possession of a short-barreled rifle, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a destructive device, possession of silencers, and participation in a criminal street gang.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus condemned Bingham's actions, stating, “The actions of this deputy are alarming and inexcusable; he not only tarnishes his badge but also undermines the integrity and credibility of the entire department. Criminal behavior will not be tolerated, and we have placed him on compulsory leave effective immediately.”
Bingham, who earned $288,012 in pay and benefits in 2022 according to Transparent California, was booked at the West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $500,000. He is expected to be arraigned by video on Monday, April 8.
District Attorney Jason Anderson stated, “This appears to involve the Mongols, without question.”
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Comments
2024-04-11T10:38-0500 | Comment by: Tim
When you Tarnish the Badge you lose your Brotherhood. You are a disgrace to the BLUE!!