Former two-time “Survivor" player Brandon Hantz has been arrested on racketeering conspiracy and arson charges in Texas, according to USA Today. Hantz, 33, is alleged to have been a former member (or associate) of the Bandidos motorcycle gang, which prosecutors say has been engaged in a deadly “turf war” with another gang. Other alleged Banditos are facing murder charges, with prosecutors claiming they were instructed to assault or even kill their rivals—with “smash on site” orders. “The indictment here not only alleges shocking crimes of violence, but also alleges that these offenses were committed openly and wantonly,” U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas said in a statement, with an accompanying press release citing incidents including “gunfire exchanged on public roadways and in public establishments with innocent civilians present.” Hantz’s home has reportedly raided by the FBI, and he is facing up to 40 years in prison. Hantz appeared on the 23rd and 26th seasons of Survivor—Survivor: South Pacific and Survivor: Caramoan respectively. On the latter season, he was memorably eliminated after an emotional meltdown, and having dumped his tribe’s food supplies. His uncle is Russell Hantz, one of the show’s most infamous villians.
