The FBI and Florida law enforcement have arrested 28 members of the violent Mongols motorcycle gang in a sweeping operation known as “Operation Mongolian Beef,” following a March 8 shootout at a gas station in New Smyrna Beach during Bike Week 2025.
The FBI Jacksonville Division, in coordination with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, confirmed the arrests in a statement Wednesday.
“The FBI has made a commitment to all Americans that we will crush violent crime across the country,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley.
“There is no doubt Volusia County and, in fact, the entire state of Florida is safer today with these violent offenders off the street.”
Warrants have been issued for three more Mongols members whose arrests are still pending.
Charged With Aggravated Rioting
The 28 arrested suspects are facing second-degree felony charges of aggravated rioting, a serious offense that applies when 25 or more people participate in a violent riot. If convicted, each suspect could face up to 15 years in prison.
The charges stem from a broad-daylight shootout between the Mongols and rival gang the Warlocks at 11:30 a.m. during Bike Week — with innocent civilians and children present at the gas station when bullets started flying.
“They Lit the Fuse”: Sheriff Slams Mongols
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood held nothing back during a press conference:
“The Mongols knew the Warlocks would be at the gas station and planned to attack them. Bullets were flying. Innocent people were there. Children were there.”
“They lit the fuse. It’s game on now.”
Chitwood confirmed that video footage from bystanders helped investigators identify at least 31 individuals involved.
Even though the two injured Warlocks refused to cooperate, law enforcement now has what they describe as a “treasure trove of evidence” that will lead to more indictments.
Multistate Raids Hit Gang Strongholds
As part of the coordinated operation, law enforcement executed 14 search warrants across multiple properties, including:
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The Mongols’ clubhouse in Edgewater, Florida
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Four homes in Volusia County
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Three homes in Brevard County
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Two homes in Miami-Dade County
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One home in Chesterfield County, Virginia
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One home in Palm Beach County
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Two homes in Polk County
This shows just how wide the gang’s criminal network stretches — and how seriously the FBI is taking this threat.
Mongols Labeled Domestic Terror Threat
The Department of Justice classifies the Mongols Motorcycle Club as an “outlaw” biker gang — the kind that proudly calls itself the “1 percent” that lives outside the law.
With slogans like “Respect Few, Fear None” and “Live Mongol, Die Mongol,” the gang is known for its organized crime activities, including:
The DOJ says the group poses a “serious national domestic threat.”
