A Southern California Sheriff’s Deputy, Christopher Bingham, was arrested after being caught riding with members of an outlaw motorcycle gang and was found to have an arsenal of firearms at his home, including a stolen shotgun from his department. Bingham, an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, was caught with an unloaded, unregistered firearm and was later released after being booked at the Smith Correctional Facility. Police had been investigating Bingham since January 2024 when they discovered he had been associating with gang members, leading to a search warrant for his home in Twentynine Palms, Calif., which resulted in the discovery of approximately 160 firearms, including a fully automatic assault rifle with an attached grenade launcher, along with destructive devices, silencers, gang paraphernalia, and the stolen shotgun.
San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus condemned Bingham’s actions, stating that criminal behavior would not be tolerated and that Bingham had been placed on compulsory leave. The investigation has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office, leading to the filing of several felony charges against Bingham, including possession of a machine gun, stolen firearm, short-barreled rifle, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a destructive device, silencers, and participation in a criminal street gang. The charges also carry an enhancement for being associated with a gang, and Bingham’s bail was set at $500,000 following the discovery of his large arsenal of weapons.
While the specific motorcycle gang that Bingham was associated with was not specified by the department, District Attorney Jason Anderson believes Bingham was involved with the Mongols. Bingham owned a gun store called O’Three Tactical in Twentynine Palms as a side business while working for the Sheriff’s Department, but the business closed in June 2021 due to financial reasons. Bingham was also involved in a murder trial in 2019, where he testified that he had sold a .45-caliber handgun to a former Marine who was arrested for killing his estranged ex-girlfriend and her mother. However, it was not revealed whether the gun sold by Bingham was used in the double homicide.
Bingham faces multiple felony charges, with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filing charges related to the possession of illegal firearms, theft of a firearm, and participation in a criminal street gang. The charges carry enhancements for being involved with a gang, and Bingham’s bail was set at $500,000 after the discovery of the arsenal of firearms at his home. Despite the seriousness of the charges, law enforcement officials have not disclosed the specific details of Bingham’s involvement with the outlaw motorcycle gang, raising questions about the extent of his activities within the gang.
The discovery of Bingham’s association with an outlaw motorcycle gang and possession of illegal firearms has raised concerns about his conduct as a law enforcement officer. San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus has emphasized that criminal behavior will not be tolerated within the department and that steps have been taken to address the situation. The significance of Bingham’s actions goes beyond tarnishing his badge and reputation—it also undermines the integrity and credibility of the entire Sheriff’s Department. As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, the case highlights the challenges of addressing criminal behavior within law enforcement, particularly when it involves the presence of firearms and illegal activities.
