A member of a Christian motorcycle gang has been sentenced to eight years in prison for stabbing a rival in the stomach and trying to slit his throat in a Newport Beach bar fight.
Jose Enrique Quinones, 43, who authorities say belongs to the Anaheim-based Set Free Soldiers, was sentenced Thursday in Orange County Superior Court after pleading guilty to attempted murder and street terrorism.
Quinones was one of eight bikers who were arrested on a variety of felony charges after a brawl broke out between members of the Set Free Soldiers and the Hells Angels last July at Blackie’s by the Sea near the Newport Pier.
Rodrigo Jose Requejo, 35, identified as a Hells Angel from Westminster, pleaded guilty last year to aggravated assault in connection with the brawl and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years' probation.
The Set Free Soldiers is a controversial Christian outreach group with a bad-boy image whose website calls it "a group of men who love Jesus and love to ride hard."
Police and prosecutors, however, say the group has degenerated into an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Phil Aguilar, 61, the founding pastor of Set Free Worldwide Ministries, and his 30-year-old son Matthew, have pleaded not guilty to weapons and gang charges filed in connection with early morning raids carried out after the brawl. They are scheduled to appear in court in August.
