36 ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF TEXAS MEMBERS, ASSOCIATES PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL RACKETEERING CHARGES

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

All 36 Charged Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Members and Associates Have Pleaded Guilty to Federal Racketeering Charges in Southern District of Texas

73 Convicted Across Five Federal Districts, Including All Five Active ABT Generals, Effectively Dismantling Organization

The remaining two defendants of 36 accused in the Southern District of Texas of racketeering activities as part of their roles with the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) have pleaded guilty, capping a six-year sweeping effort that has led to 73 convictions across five federal districts and the decimation of the gang’s leadership and violent members and associates.   Those convicted were charged with involvement in a criminal organization that engaged in murders, kidnappings, brutal beatings, fire bombings and drug trafficking.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Robert W. Elder of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)’s Houston Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Division and Special Agent in Charge David M. Marwell of the Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Division made the announcement.

“The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas launched its murderous and racist ideology within the Texas prisons, but unleashed a violent crime wave that jumped the prison walls and spread like a virus,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.  “Today we are announcing sweeping convictions that strike at the heart of the ABT gang: 73 convictions in five federal districts, including the five active generals who ran the organization with an iron fist.   These convictions will ensure that these ABT gang members, from generals to soldiers, spend their years in federal prison paying for their crimes, not committing new ones.”

“Today, public safety is the winner,” said U.S. Attorney Magidson.   “A significant blow to the ABT criminal activities culminated today with the convictions of all 36 as charged in relation to this significant racketeering activity. Only with a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement effort, could these criminals’ extensive and heinous gang activities be brought before the bar of justice.”

Rusty Eugene Duke of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sim Lake in the Southern District of Texas to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity.   Tammy Melissa Wall of Otto, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to the same charge on Aug. 6, 2014.   Duke and Wall are two of 36 defendants charged in the Southern District of Texas with conducting racketeering activity through the ABT criminal enterprise, among other charges.   With Duke’s plea today, all 36 defendants have pleaded guilty.

The 36 convicted are part of a larger, six-year effort that has led to the conviction of 73 ABT members and associates in cases brought in the Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas and Western District of Oklahoma.

“Today marks a great day for the citizens of Texas,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Elder.   “As they go about their daily lives, they can rest easier knowing that law enforcement across the state is working tirelessly to keep them safe from violent criminals. Finally, this investigation is a great example of ATF’s Frontline Model, which seeks to go after the very worst offenders by maximizing all of our resources.”

“While these convictions have dealt a serious blow to the gang, there are always others waiting to take their place in the organization,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner.   “We have a message for them too: Violence and intimidation will not rule the streets of Houston. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue gang leaders and their associates at every level to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Court records and admissions by the defendants have exposed the ABT as a race-based, Texas state-wide organization operating inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States.   Established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system, the gang modeled itself after, and adopted many of the precepts and writings of, the Aryan Brotherhood, a California-based prison gang formed in the California prison system during the 1960s.   The ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and the promotion of whites as a superior race.   The ABT used murder and the threat of murder to enforce its rules within the gang and maintain a position of power inside and outside of prison.   Over time, the ABT expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit.   Once released from prison, ABT members and associates continued to engage in criminal activity on behalf of the enterprise.

Court documents portray the ABT as a highly structured organization run by five generals, each of whom oversees one of five geographic regions of Texas and sits on a steering committee.   Each general supervises two chains of command —one on the “inside” and one on the “outside” of prison.   Reporting to each general is an “inside major” and an “outside major” and each major oversees several captains, lieutenants and sergeants-at-arms and numerous soldiers.

In this prosecution, all five active ABT generals have been convicted, as well as one “acting” general and one former general and founding member.   In addition, the majors, captains and other leaders of the gang from each of the five regions – including Duke – were convicted.

ABT enforced its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, arson, assault, robbery and threats against those who violated ABT rules or posed a threat to the enterprise.   Members, and oftentimes associates, were required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, referred to as “direct orders.”   For example, according to court records, ABT leaders ordered a subordinate to kill a rogue ABT prospect and return the victim’s severed finger as a trophy, engaged in planning to kill a police officer, and ordered the murder of an individual whom the ABT believed had stolen drugs from the enterprise.

Duke, Wall and numerous ABT gang members met on a regular basis at various locations throughout Texas to report on gang-related business, collect dues, commit disciplinary assaults against fellow gang members and discuss acts of violence against rival gang members, among other things.   While females are not allowed to become members of the ABT, Wall and other women convicted in this case associated with the ABT, served as communication hubs for the gang, and engaged in criminal activity for the benefit of the ABT.

By pleading guilty to racketeering charges, Duke and Wall admitted to being members of the ABT criminal enterprise.   They are both scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 29, 2014.

This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; Texas Rangers; Texas Department of Public Safety; Montgomery County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General; Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Atascosa County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Orange County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Waller County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Alvin, Texas, Police Department; Carrollton, Texas, Police Department; Mesquite, Texas, Police Department; Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office; and the Atascosa County District Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Ed Gallagher and Tim Braley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF TEXAS GANG MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY TO RACKETEERING CHARGES

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Friday, February 14, 2014
Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Federal Racketeering Charges

A member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang (ABT) has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges related to his membership in the ABT’s criminal enterprise, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas.

Ronald Lee Prince, aka “Big Show,” 44, of Dallas, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sim Lake in the Southern District of Texas to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity.

According to court documents, Prince and other ABT gang members and associates agreed to commit multiple acts of murder, robbery, arson, kidnapping and narcotics trafficking on behalf of the ABT gang.   Prince and numerous ABT gang members met on a regular basis at various locations throughout Texas to report on gang-related business, collect dues, commit disciplinary assaults against fellow gang members and discuss acts of violence against rival gang members, among other activities.

By pleading guilty to racketeering charges, Prince admitted to being a member of the ABT criminal enterprise.

According to the superseding indictment, the ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system.   The gang modeled itself after and adopted many of the precepts and writings of the Aryan Brotherhood, a California-based prison gang that was formed in the California prison system during the 1960s.   According to the superseding indictment, the ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and white supremacy.  Over time, the ABT expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit.

Court documents allege that the ABT enforced its rules and promoted discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, arson, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise.   Members, and oftentimes associates, were required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

According to the superseding indictment, in order to be considered for ABT membership, a person must be sponsored by another gang member.   Once sponsored, a prospective member must serve an unspecified term, during which he is referred to as a prospect, while his conduct is observed by the members of the ABT.

At sentencing, scheduled for Oct. 9, 2014, Prince faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Prince is one of 36 defendants charged with, among other things, conducting racketeering activity through the ABT criminal enterprise.   To date, 19 defendants have pleaded guilty, including the recent plea of Stephen Tobin Mullen, aka “Scuba Steve,” 44, of Dallas, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity on Dec. 19, 2013.

This case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Federal Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; Texas Rangers; Texas Department of Public Safety; Montgomery County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General; Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Atascosa County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Orange County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Waller County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Alvin, Texas, Police Department; Carrollton, Texas, Police Department; Mesquite, Texas, Police Department; Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office; and the Atascosa County District Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

U.S. ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES CHARGES AGAINST ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF TEXAS LEADERSHIP

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at Press Conference to Announce Charges Against Alleged Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Leaders

Houston ~ Friday, November 9, 2012
Good afternoon. Today, I am pleased to join U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Special Agent in Charge Melvin King, Special Agent in Charge Stephen Morris and numerous other federal, state and local law enforcement partners to announce a landmark indictment against the top leadership of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, or ABT – a violent and highly structured criminal enterprise operating throughout the state.

Earlier today, over 170 law enforcement agents swept across Texas and North Carolina, and arrested 14 of the 34 ABT members and associates named in the indictment. Fifteen defendants are already in custody, and five defendants remain at large. Today’s operations represent years of work by Justice Department prosecutors and agents in Washington, D.C., Texas and Oklahoma, and by our partners in state and local law enforcement. With this indictment, we have charged or convicted 72 ABT members and associates in federal court.

Today’s indictment represents a devastating blow to the leadership of ABT. As charged, ABT was founded in the 1980s as a "whites only," prison-based gang and is governed by a "constitution" that establishes a military-style organizational structure and a rigid code of conduct for gang members. At the top are five "generals," each of whom is responsible for a different region in Texas. Together, these "generals" comprise a steering committee known as the "wheel."

Four ABT generals are named in today’s indictment. Thirteen other alleged ABT leaders – with the rank of "major," "captain" or "lieutenant" – are also being charged today, along with numerous other gang members and associates.

Brutal beatings, fire bombings, drug trafficking and murder, are all part of ABT’s alleged standard operating procedure. As charged, ABT uses violence and threats of violence to maintain internal discipline, and to retaliate against those believed to be cooperating with law enforcement.

As an example, according to the indictment, alleged ABT leader Kelly Ray Elley and others ordered subordinates to kill a prospective ABT member, and to make the killing "as messy as possible," in order to send a message to gang members not to cooperate with law enforcement. Mr. Elley also allegedly ordered gang members to return the prospect’s severed finger as a trophy.

As another example, three named defendants allegedly burned an ABT tattoo off the arm of a fellow gang member because he failed to carry out a direct order.

The indictment further alleges three specific murders – one in 2001, one in 2002 and one in 2008 – along with kidnappings, cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking, and other crimes.

ABT, like other violent gangs, wreaks havoc – throughout the communities it terrorizes and in the lives of its members. Through violence and intimidation, ABT exerts control over prison populations and neighborhoods, and instills fear in those who come in contact with its members. The Criminal Division is determined, with its federal, state and local law enforcement partners, to continue disrupting and dismantling ABT and other violent criminal enterprises.

I am exceptionally proud of the prosecutors and agents who carried out today’s law enforcement operations and am privileged now to turn things over to my friend and colleague U.S. Attorney Magidson. Thank you

FIVE ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF TEXAS MEMBERS SENTENCED

FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Friday, April 13, 2012
Five Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Gang Members Sentenced in Houston for Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering
WASHINGTON – Five members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in an aggravated assault that took place in Tomball, Texas, in September 2008, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas.

U.S. District Court Senior Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. today sentenced Zechariah Aaron Johnston, 31, aka “Oz,” to 84 months in prison; Stephen Kyle Knebel, 33, aka “Lil Evil,” to 24 months in prison; Robert Lynn Sheats, 33, aka “Dirty,” to 36 months in prison; and Johnny Ray Nichols, 35, aka “Nick,” to 18 months in prison.  On March 23, 2012, Senior Judge Werlein sentenced Rusty Dwayne Plante, 34, aka “Rusty,” to 36 months in prison.

All five defendants pleaded guilty for their role in the aggravated assault of an ABT prospect member.  Johnston, Knebel and Nichols each pleaded guilty to racketeering aggravated assault.  Plante and Sheats pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering aggravated assault.  All five defendants are from the greater Houston area.

According to court documents, the defendants were members of the ABT, a powerful race-based, state-wide organization that operated inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the United States.  The ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system.  The gang modeled itself after and adopted many of the precepts and writings of the Aryan Brotherhood, a California-based prison gang that was formed in the California prison system during the 1960s.  According to court documents, previously, the ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and white supremacy/separatism.  Over time, the ABT has expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit.

According to court documents, the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise.  Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

According to court documents, Johnston, Knebel, Plante, Nichols and Sheats, along with seven fellow ABT gang members, participated in the beating of an ABT prospect member at the home of another ABT gang leader, Steven Walter Cooke, 48, aka “Stainless,” in Tomball, on Sept. 22, 2008.  The ABT prospect, who sustained serious bodily injury, was beaten by ABT gang members because he violated ABT rules of conduct.

Eleven of the 12 co-defendants have pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault.  The 12th ABT gang member, David Harlow, 43, aka, “Bam Bam,” was found guilty by Senior Judge Werlein on March 21, 2012, at trial in the Southern District of Texas.

This case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Texas Ranger Division – Texas Department of Public Safety; the Walker County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; the Montgomery County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department; the Houston Police Department-Gang Division; the Tomball Police Department; the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Inspector General; and the Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman of the Southern District of Texas.