A federal grand jury in Houston indicted Brandon Hantz, the Survivor contestant and nephew of Russell Hantz, on February 11, 2025, on charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering and arson tied to the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. He was 33 at the time, lived in Crosby, Texas, and went by the aliases “Loco” and “Gun Drop” inside the organization.1U.S. Department of Justice. 14 Members of Bandidos Motorcycle Gang Indicted The FBI raided his home on February 19, 2025, and the indictment was unsealed the same day.2Los Angeles Times. Brandon Hantz Survivor Bandidos Indictment
The Charges He Faces
Hantz was charged with two counts: conspiracy to commit racketeering activity and arson. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, so a conviction on both could bring up to 40 years.3People. Survivor Alum Brandon Hantz Arrested on Arson Racketeering Charges Of the 14 people named in the indictment, he was the only one facing an arson count.4Yahoo News. Survivor Star Brandon Hantz Arrested
The Arson Allegation
Prosecutors allege Hantz set fire to the County Line Ice House, a bar in Montgomery County, Texas. The government’s theory is that the arson was retaliation for the bar hosting “fight night” events for Brothers East, known as B*EAST, a rival club at the center of a wider turf war with the Bandidos.5Houston Landing. Behind the Bandidos Detention Hearings
Investigators built the case against Hantz using witness accounts, confidential informants, and cell-site location data from towers near the scene. At a detention hearing, a Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy testified that surveillance video from the night of the fire did not show the occupants of the truck suspected of starting the blaze.5Houston Landing. Behind the Bandidos Detention Hearings
His Time With the Bandidos
A family member told reporters Hantz had left the Bandidos in 2024, before the indictment became public.2Los Angeles Times. Brandon Hantz Survivor Bandidos Indictment Testimony at the detention hearings put his membership at roughly one year.5Houston Landing. Behind the Bandidos Detention Hearings
The Larger RICO Case
The charges against Hantz are part of a sweeping federal prosecution filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It was the first RICO case brought in the Southern District of Texas in more than 12 years.6Houston Public Media. Houston Area Bandidos Gang Members Charged With Murder Racketeering
The indictment describes a turf war that broke out in 2019 between the Bandidos and B*EAST, a Houston-area club that had broken away from the Bandidos. Prosecutors say national Bandidos leadership issued a “smash on site” order directing members to assault and kill B*EAST members on sight, and that a Katy, Texas chapter called “Welcome to Hell” was set up in 2021 specifically to target the rivals. The 22-count indictment covers six incidents of violence, including two fatal shootings, but Hantz is not charged in those killings; his exposure is the arson count and the overarching racketeering conspiracy.5Houston Landing. Behind the Bandidos Detention Hearings
Where the Case Stands
Following detention hearings, Hantz was released on an unsecured $50,000 bond.5Houston Landing. Behind the Bandidos Detention Hearings The Justice Department noted that the indictment is an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.7U.S. Department of Justice. Fourteen Members and Associates of Violent Transnational Motorcycle Gang Indicted No plea or trial date has been publicly reported.
Why the Name Is Familiar
Brandon Hantz first appeared on Survivor: South Pacific (Season 23), playing in the shadow of his uncle Russell Hantz, the runner-up on Survivor: Samoa in 2009 and a third-place finisher on Heroes vs. Villains in 2010.8People. Where Is Russell Hantz Now Brandon finished sixth, losing a Redemption Island duel to Ozzy Lusth on Day 36.9True Dork Times. Brandon Hantz Cast Page
He came back for Survivor: Caramoan—Fans vs. Favorites in 2013 at age 21.10Hollywood Reporter. Survivor Caramoan Brandon Hantz Voted During a challenge he grew agitated and confronted contestant Phillip Sheppard, and he dumped out his tribe’s rice. Host Jeff Probst physically stepped in, called for the show’s psychologist to be brought over by boat, and held an impromptu Tribal Council on the spot, calling it a historic moment for the series.11Entertainment Weekly. Survivor Caramoan Jeff Probst Brandon Hantz Meltdown