In a shocking turn of events, a Southern California Sheriff’s Deputy has been accused of leading a double life as a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang. Deputy Christopher Bingham, an 18-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, was arrested after being caught riding with two members of an undisclosed local Outlaw Motorcycle Gang on March 23. This discovery has raised concerns about the integrity and credibility of the entire department.
The investigation into Bingham began in January 2024 when authorities received information that he had been associating with gang members. This prompted officials to open an investigation, which eventually led to a search warrant being granted for his home in Twentynine Palms, California. During the search, police uncovered a staggering arsenal of approximately 160 firearms, including a fully automatic assault rifle with an attached grenade launcher. They also found destructive devices, silencers, paraphernalia from the gang, and even a stolen shotgun from Bingham’s own department.
San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus expressed his alarm and disappointment at Bingham’s alleged actions, stating that they not only tarnish his badge but also undermine the integrity and credibility of the entire department. As a result, Bingham has been placed on compulsory leave, and the investigation has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office, which has filed several felony charges against him.
Among the charges Bingham faces are 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. These charges carry an enhancement for being associated with a gang, according to California Penal Code 186.22 PC. His bail has been set at $500,000.
While the specific outlaw motorcycle gang Bingham was associated with has not been disclosed by the department, District Attorney Jason Anderson believes it may be 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. Public records show that the store has been closed since June 2021 and had been struggling financially, causing personal strain on Bingham.
This is not the first time Bingham has been involved in a high-profile case. In 2019, he was mixed up in a murder trial after selling a .45-caliber handgun to Rafael Aikens, who was later arrested for killing his estranged ex-girlfriend and her mother. Bingham testified during the trial and revealed his involvement in selling the gun to Aikens. However, it was never disclosed if the gun sold by Bingham was the one used in the murders.
The revelations surrounding Deputy Christopher Bingham’s alleged double life have sent shockwaves through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The department is now faced with the task of rebuilding its integrity and addressing any potential systemic issues that allowed such behavior to go undetected for so long. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this case will impact the reputation of law enforcement in Southern California.
