Vagos, Mongols, and Outlaws: My Infiltration of America's Deadliest Biker Gangs

by Charles Falco, Kerrie Droban

The basis for the hit TV series Gangland Undercover!Vagos, Mongols, and Outlaws presents the gripping account from an ex-con who went undercover to help the ATF infiltrate three of America's most violent biker gangs.Despite lacking any experience with motorcycle gangs, Charles Falco infiltrated three of America's deadliest biker the Vagos, Mongols, and Outlaws. In separate investigations that spanned years and coasts, Falco risked his life, suffering a fractured neck and a severely torn shoulder, working deep under cover to bring violent sociopaths to justice. His dedication was profound; Falco spent almost three years infiltrating the Vagos gang and rose to second in command of the Victorville, California chapter. He even served time in San Bernardino's Murder Unit and endured solitary confinement to protect his cover and the investigations. Falco recorded confessions of gangland-style killings and nearly became a target himself before he sought refuge in the Witness Protection Program. But discontent to remain on the sidelines and motivated by a strong sense of duty, Falco eventually left the Program and volunteer his talents again to infiltrate the Mongols and Outlaws, rising in rank to Vice President of the Petersburg, Virginia Outlaws chapter.His efforts culminated in sixty two arrests of members for various crimes, including assault and murder. Executing one of this country's most successful RICO prosecutions and effectively crippling the criminal enterprise, Falco's engrossing narrative of the dangers of the biker underworld harkens back to Hunter S. Thompson's classic Hell's Angels, vividly recounting a life undercover.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography, Memoir, Motorcycle, Audiobook

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2013

Reviews

[Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, I'm fascinated by outlaw MCs and I love reading about them - especially with the contrast between the reality of the gangs versus the decidedly romanticized life of the Sons of Anarchy and the hyped-up versions from movies.

On the other hand, this was written really badly. It feels like an "and then..." story, with no real organization or arc. Every event just happens, without much of an impact. It doesn't help that Charles seems to elide over the personalities and interactions with just about everybody he comes in contact with over the course of his time with The Vagos and the Outlaws. I never once get the feeling for the personalities of anyone besides Charles, which makes it difficult to really relate to his time or to feel any sense of menace or threat from any of the people he informs on. The closest we get to a real feel for anyone was Claw, who seems more like a cartoon or a characteur than a person.

I'm not saying that these stories need to conform to the bounds of fiction, with well-rounded characters and complete narrative arcs, just that there's nothing here for me as a reader to latch onto. One of the things that I appreciated about Outlaws and No Angel (books that cover similar ground) was that I had a much better feel for everyone involved - I could understand *why* people would get caught up in the brotherhood of the MC and be willing to fight, even murder, for the club. With Vagos, Mongols and Outlaws, it just felt like a series of interconnected anecdotes that weren't nearly as fascinating as the teller thought they'd be and ultimately went nowhere.

[Ethan’s Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love all outlaw motorcycle related things. Even non-motorcycle outlaw books. Sometimes a western with outlaws does the trick. But I didn’t really enjoy the narrator for this book and it felt disjointed.

If I had to recommend the show or the book, definitely check out the show made by the history channel. Way cooler.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible storyteller. I felt like I was reading a child's take on very graphic events, no beginning, middle or end, just all over the place story after story with very little full picture. I did not finish reading the last to chapters, just skimmed. It just got to the point of, I don't care.

[Rural Soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falco was the second guy in Operation 22 Green, with whom we are introduced in another book by George Rowe.
Falco volunteered for Vagos MC infiltration due to signing a deal with law to decrease his drug dealing charges.
However after Operation 22 Green, he kept going as paid informant to inflitarte in Mongols MC and Outlaws MC.
The reason I find this book an average read isn't due to its content but writing of this book is so fix and uninteresting. It looked like we aren't reading a true story but a police department report.
I must say that these crazy stories and dangerous situations are just ruined due to bad writing.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book really lost momentum in the middle. the first 50 pages were great and i was stoked, but it became just very repetitive and not all that interesting. 2.5 stars.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently found myself gravitating more towards non fiction novels. Thus the reason that I picked up this book to read it. In addition, that I like to read about subject matters that sound appealing to me, true crimes, and events that I am not familiar with.

First off let me just comment and state that the things that Mr. Falco went through while undercover in these bike gangs is wicked crazy. I can not imagine how desperate you have to be to volunteer to do this type of job. Someone who does this does has to be a little crazy. I mean from what I read in this book about the Vagos, they are one nasty bike gang. As I am sure that with most gangs they probably treat the women the same way. However to actually read about the way the women were treated did make me sick to my stomach. This is even without all of the gory details.

All I could think about how Mr. Falco must have felt day in and day out not knowing if his cover would be blown or he would survive to live another day. It must be like holding a grenade in your hand and pulling the pin and playing chicken.

I am not familiar with any of the bike gangs mentioned in this book other then the Outlaws by name only. My only criticism with this book was that the first about sixteen chapters was focused on the Vagos. The last half of the book felt rushed with the telling of how Mr. Falco helped bring down the Mongols and Outlaws. If you ever wanted to know what it was like to be in a bike gang without actually joining one, then you should check this book out.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again I enjoyed the TV version of this story a lot better.

[Philip Maiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isa true story of a man that infiltrates not one -but 3 violent motorcycle clubs ; the 1% of the television glorified ruthless criminals. Charlie Falco is one man that in the mid 2000’s is charged with working off his debt: prison or become an unpaid informant for the DEA and gather information with a hidden recorder -and if caught he’s most likely dead. Sounds like an Mission Impossible script but Falco has what it takes- God given gift for gab that gets him into and out of trouble. He also has an ability to fight and quickly rises up in status with these gangs. He is both charismatic and cocky and briefly gives testimony to his Faith in Christ and being a Christian-protected by a God given 6th sense.
Infiltrating one of these gangs- Vagos/Mongols and Outlaws would be amazing in itself but to become an effective informant in all 3 is quite a truly dangerous story: which this book describes. It shares all the details that Falco had to do to rise in status in these gangs and amazingly enough to Patch In or to become a ull blood member.
Violent fights-drug buys-weapon deals-and the most amazing thing he did was ride with these guys -day in day out through all types of terrain/weather.
-in any type of weather. Nerves of steel no doubt. Falco also tells how the pressure and loneliness/depression he endured was almost unbearable. He was under so long he doesn’t know who he is anymore and although he is after the upper members that are both wealthy and untouchable without first hand knowledge and proof he tells a story of how theses men respect their colors and cuts so much they would do anything to “preserve” their way of life. A very good -can’t put down book that will show you at the end who the real man is.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

Loved it! Incredible peek behind the scenes of outlaw motorcycle gangs. Cannot say enough about the bravery and dedication of the ATF undercover agents and the author. I could not put the book down!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent, though possibly self-serving, account of an informant who penetrated motorcycle gangs. Although the story was fine, it really lacked in detail it seemed. Of course, people who can do this are a special breed, especially cops and federal agents, who risk not only their lives but often their families as well. With all the paranoia that bikers exhibit, it is amazing not more of these guys/gals aren't revealed. I wondered why more screening and attention was made to catching individuals that penetrate law enforcement, as well as traitors.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gritty read and not for the faint of heart. Any woman that believes that outlaw motorcycle clubs are like those portrayed by romance writers should read this for a reality check.

[Dawn Pisturino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize, until I read this book, that members of the Vagos MC work as extras on the TV show "Sons of Anarchy." This book is far more realistic than the books written by Sonny Barger.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a man named Charles Falco who was arrested on drug charges. So the government comes up with a deal to keep him out of prison and that is to become an undercover informant into the Vagos motorcycle biker gang. Never being and informant he did not want to do it at first, but at looking at over 20 years in a federal prison he also figured he had nothing to lose. Not knowing how to ride or even how to get into the gang he must find a way in. the San Bernardino county DA’S office and sheriff’s department were looking at making some type of dent into the Vagos, for the area they controlled from Victorville, to chapters all the way into Death Valley is a huge amount of land. There are so many little areas that most people don’t even know about them. Having grown up in the area that is what first led me to this book. Knowing the areas that he was talking about was useful when he was describing his story. Parts of the with the Vagos you really get the feel of what he was going through especially when he was arrested and stayed in jail and prison in order to fulfill his role as the undercover. You also get his fear at times with both being left alone by the gang and by the law enforcement agency that wanted him to go undercover in the first place. The first part of the book was good and the second part when he goes into witness protection and then decides to work for money as a C.I. to infiltrate the Outlaws from the East Coast who are just as violent. You are taken through his depression and loneness and his new marriage as well. That part of the story seemed a little jumbled and not as solid as the first half of the book. Overall not a bad book. I gave this book 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Sean Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and was also horrified (perhaps showing my ignorance) that there are actually people who live unabashedly criminal lives as do many of the bikers Falco describes. One of the most interesting aspects of this true crime autobiography is that Falco, a convicted drug trafficker, chooses to infiltrate one biker gang (the Vagos) then after helping the ATF make arrests, he chooses to forego witness protection to infiltrate ANOTHER biker gang (the Outlaws). The danger associated with these assignments is (or should be) pretty obvious, but despite some style flaws, there is no question Falco relates the depravity and complete lack of conscience in prominent members of both gangs.
What also became apparent is that many of the efforts of law enforcement agencies and lives risked by UC agents must yield frustrating results in numerous cases, due to the vagaries of the justice system, plea bargains, and technicalities on which many of the criminals get their sentences drastically reduced or commuted altogether.
Anyone interested in true crime and the page-turning suspense attached to undercover work will likely enjoy this read.

[Chaunceton Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting peek inside a small portion of the Vagos Motorcycle Club, as well as a few stories about a few members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, and one tiny snippet about the ATF's own Chapter of the Mongols Motorcycle Club.

This is a book that pulled be in, but that was likely a result of my interest in the subject matter, and was in spite of the overly written prose (e.g., "The screen door cracked like a late summer cough."—really? I've never heard a cough at any time of year that sounds like a screen door slamming). The author becomes a confidential informant as part of a plea bargain after being hit with his own serious drug charges. But part way through the book, our author transforms from a CI just trying to work off some prison time, into a moral hero, out to take down the baddies for the good of women and children around the world. A noble transition, but a bit heavy handed on the bravado.

One of the authors risked his life and wrote about it, another author joined him and overwrote every sentence. Overall, this is one I would recommend to folks interested in motorcycle clubs, not to one interested in good writing.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started read – reading this on Kindle back in May, and I read the first two thirds or so of it. It was a whole section of the Vagos, and it was exciting, intriguing, scary, and a little bit sad. When I finished that section, I thought I was done with the book, but then I got into section 2…
By that point, I could no longer read it, so I switched to the Audio Audible in order to listen to the rest.
The tone kind of changed at that point, and although it was still interesting, somehow I didn't feel as connected. It was still a good book, but I am definitely glad that I could listen to the end instead of continuing to actually read.
I am starting to reconsider a former workmate and friend who was very involved in motorcycles and a motorcycle club back in the late '80s. I do wonder whether his motorcycling was at all involved in any of the illegalities and violence… I know that being a motorcyclists did not necessarily imply that one was involved in gangs by definition, but I do know how close "Snoopy" was to his group, and I know that he communicated and recreated regularly with them.
Just a thought…

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Challenge Category: Book By An Author Who Uses A Pseudonym

I am counting this as a book by an author who uses a pseudonym because it is a memoir of an undercover informant. Through the course of the book, he infiltrates two motorcycle gangs-- discussing the culture of violence and criminal behavior. It was interesting to hear him reflect on the psychology of adopting the persona of a biker gang member-- the way in which he started to "become" his character and his sense of disconnect. Parts were disturbing to read-- especially the violence and disregard for the women. This book definitely paints these groups in less endearing terms than fictional accounts in popular culture (e.g., Sons of Anarchy). Like many memoirs with co-authors, this book is not particularly well-written, but certainly cohesive and coherent.

[Jeff R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written by one of the most prolific outlaw motorcycle club paid contract informants in history Ashley Charles Wyatt aka Charles Falco, this book is like the rest of the books written by ATF undercover agents and paid contract sources of information who have infiltrated outlaw motorcycle clubs and is full of inflammatory stories built around little to no truth designed to paint a self-glorifying picture of who was in reality nothing more than drug dealing tweeker who turned paid informant to save his own ass. What is interesting about the book is how the ATF rolled him and the ATF undercover agents from one club to the next and he went totally undetected and helps evidence that outlaw motorcycle clubs are really not the sophisticated criminal enterprises law enforcement and the media has led the public to believe they are.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter suffers as a result of poor writing

Interesting subject matter but too poorly written to finish. The writing was repetitive in instances when completely unnecessary and even evident in poor paragraph composition where the same two adjectives would be used over and over again within a couple of sentences of each other. There was also a lack of description which would have been welcomed for added interest and clarity's sake due to the vast array of characters to keep straight. At times someone new would pop into the narrative with no explanation as to how they fit into the current situation being recounted let alone the bigger picture of the criminal organization. Didn't even make it through his time with the Vagos before getting fed up.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the second I started reading it was hard to put down but I always picked up to read again later (Kindle). This very fast-paced book always keeps you on the edge of your seat, as Charles Falco infiltrates one motorcycle club after another. Well worth the money since you're restless until turning every page within. I'm sure I'd seen this book on Amazon, but when I saw it on a website I stumbled upon, The Mighty Blowhole (November 2015 blog), about eight months ago, I knew I'd be reading it soon. Great reviews on that site, by the way. The next one on my list, will probably be one of that site's other recommended books, Gods of Mischief. Sometimes I'll be reading several books at a time, so it's taken a minute to finish.

[Carlena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because I watched the documentary about Falco. Trigger warning on abuse and violence. (This is to be expected, however, with a book like this.) There was one part I feel was quite graphic and unnecessary. I suppose Falco really wanted to open the eyes of the public about the inside of these gangs. It was almost a cautionary tale about joining these gangs, and it shows the ugly truth of it. I saw parts in the books that he seemed disgusted by all of it, but also parts where he glorified it. I think it was a bit too graphic for my taste and, at times, triggering. I didn't hate it. The writing style was almost like having an interview with Falco in person. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't care to read it again.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say 3.5 stars, if only because Charlie Falco comes across so bloody ARROGANT and it’s difficult to tell what actually happened vs what he embellished a little. I’ve read McQueen’s “Under and Alone.” I’ve also seen several interviews with both men, as well as others who’ve survived being under cover and Falco tries to come across as a badass, whereas the others are very humble.
I guess the difference is, Falco was a criminal trying to save his arse when he was “asked” to go under cover with the Vagos. Then it became an addiction.

[Johnny Bitowt Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intriguing world of 1%ers Motorcycle Clubs! Author Charles Falco trying to avoid a lengthy prison sentence decides to work with law enforcement officials and officers as well as prosecutors in his pursuit of evidence that they can use to prosecute some of the largest MC’s throughout the United States! The book is true crime/non-fiction and the tales in which Falco deals with in his pursuit to be free of any charges and no jail time!!! The 1%er MC world is a startling place to have to survive!!

[Connie Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what this man went through and allowed to happen to other people (especially women) was worth the effort. He stood by while women were abused, innocent men were beaten within an inch of their lives, all so he could get some bikers put in prison. That doesn't stop the problem.

It was an interesting story, though it was very much like McQueen's book with the Hell's Angels. These bikers seem to have lost all humanity, but infiltrating them didn't stop anything. The next one in line took the place of the man sent to prison, and it starts all over again.

[Lexyjean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, interesting to read. As often is the case when non-authors write books, the story was a little all over the place. A writers-eye edit could easily make this a 5 star book. This would require adding a clear chronological order and about 50-100 pages of more description and dialog to drive home the "brotherhood" of the gangs.
It is always fascinating and terrifying looking into gang-mentality. Accepting that this way of life is true and scattered among our everyday is definitely eye-opening.
Looking forward to watching a series on the History Channel.

[sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

picked this book up from the local library without looking at the reviews first. I will now look at reviews before committing to a book.
while not awful, the authors storytelling lacked nuance where it was really needed. it felt like a lot of plot lines were just dropped after the event happened, not being mentioned until the very end where he lists everyone’s charges.
I did find the little callout to Billy Queen quite funny though. good thing falco wasn’t planning on writing a book about them ;)

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having family connections, former friends and coworkers involved with, and employment exposure to this realm of 'club' activities and personnel, I found this work of interest. The book is captivating, and I even laughed from time to time. Read for personal research and pleasure.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.

[Tim Kropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. I'd give it 3-4 stars based on enjoyment but this tells stories that need to be told. There are world's that exist around us that we don't see that we need to see. Changed my perspectives on many of our societal challenges. Runs out of steam a bit in the second half; and buyer beware - Falco probably isn't always the most trustworthy on judgements about himself and his motives (although he seems more honest in struggles in the second half).

[Zhujiayao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the tv show but it’s much closer than the tv show to reality

This book tells stories about the AFT undercover agent Charles Falco. I enjoyed the book overall but it’s a bit like a day to day account. I just hope the book could have a bit more emotions and something I can learn

[Darel Krieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember in high school back in 1966 reading the book Hells Angels by Hunter S. Thompson and was fascinated by the strange world of the outlaw motorcycle gang.
Now here I am in 2024 reading about the same motorcycle gangs doing pretty much the same things the same way. Even so it is still fascinating. definitely a "good read".