Federal crackdown targets Aryan prison gang across state

Federal agents are arresting dozens of Texas members of the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood gang on federal racketeering charges for crimes including murder, kidnapping, arson, gambling and trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine.

In all, 34 members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas are named in a lengthy federal indictment unsealed today by Justice Department prosecutors in Houston, described as an effort to deal a major blow against a racist gang known for its violence.

FBI agent Shauna Dunlap confirmed the multi-agency operation continues today to track down gang members who have been charged in the investigation spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

"It's an ATF and FBI and multi-agency investigation, and four alleged top officials and 13 gang leaders are among those charged," Dunlap said. "The arrests are ongoing, and the operation is ongoing."

Of the 34 charged, 15 have been taken into custody by law enforcement officers and another 13 are currently in prison on other charges, Dunlop said.

So far, two gang members have been arrested in Houston, one in Beaumont, four in San Antonio, six in Dallas and one each in Brownsville, Corpus Christi and North Carolina, the FBI said.

The gang was formed among inmates serving time in the Texas prison system and offers protection to white prison inmates who join. The gang leadership organization is modeled on a military hierarchy structure, and the top leaders hold the rank of general, with majors, captain and lieutenants running the organization in and outside of Texas prison, the indictment states.
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