Fourth Bandido Pleads Guilty To Federal Charge In Connection With The Murder Of Hells Angel Anthony Benesh In 2006
SAN ANTONIO - In San Antonio today, 35-year-old Bandido Outlaw Motorcycle (OMO) San Antonio Centro Chapter member Norberto Serna, Jr. (aka “Hammer”) of San Antonio pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with the murder of Hells Angel Anthony Benesh in 2006 announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw; Austin Police Chief Brian Manley; and, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney, Serna pleaded guilty to one count of Aiding and Abetting Using and Discharging a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence, specifically Murder in Aid of Racketeering.
Court records allege that Benesh was attempting to start a Texas Chapter of the Hell’s Angels OMO in Austin, Texas in 2006. Members of the Bandidos OMO warned Benesh to cease his activities and recruitment, which Benesh ignored. Serna and others then murdered Benesh on March 18, 2006, outside an Austin restaurant to protect the power, reputation and territory of the Bandidos enterprise. Bandidos National Sergeant at Arms Johnny Romo, Bandidos San Antonio Centro Chapter Sergeant at Arms Jesse James Benavidez and Bandidos Centro Chapter Member Robert Romo have all pleaded guilty to related federal charges for their roles in the incident. Serna, who remains in federal custody, faces up to life in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 4, 2018, before Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra in San Antonio.
The FBI, DEA and Texas DPS together with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Austin Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, Seguin Police Department, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, Atascosa County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office are conducting this ongoing investigation.
