LOS ANGELES, June 21 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors say they have asked a judge in Los Angeles to transfer ownership of the Mongols motorcycle gang name and patch to the U.S. government.

The request, made Monday, is a first, the Los Angeles Times reported. The gang has trademarked its logo, which shows a man wearing a ponytail riding a motorcycle, and prosecutors argue it is central to the gang's criminal activity.

"We're trying to dismantle a criminal organization, and we're trying to use whatever tools we can to do it," said Thom Mrozek, a U.S. attorney's office spokesman. "In this case it shows our determination to go after this organization as a whole -- top to bottom leadership -- and after the proceeds of criminal activity."
The logo was trademarked by Ruben "Doc" Cavazos, who pleaded guilty to gang-related crimes this year.
U.S. District Judge Otis Wright issued a preliminary order for forfeiture this year but revoked it after a lawyer argued the logo belongs to the Mongol Nation Motorcycle Club Inc. and not to Cavazos as an individual.