SANTA ANA, Calif. — A California federal judge has refused to order the Mongols motorcycle gang to forfeit its trademarked logo, delivering a blow to prosecutors.
U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter said Thursday that such an order would have been unconstitutional.
Mongols attorney Joe Yanny says the ruling is a victory for the bikers and ordinary citizens because it shows the federal government abused its power.
Prosecutors say the ruling nullifies a first-of-its-kind jury verdict in January that found the gang should be stripped of its trademarked logo of a Mongol warrior on a chopper-style motorcycle.
Prosecutors argued the logo was core to the identity of the Los Angeles area-based gang responsible for drug dealing and murder.
Prosecutors say they are disappointed by the ruling and may appeal.
