7 more gang members sentenced for their involvement in Aryan Brotherhood of Texas racketeering conspiracy

HOUSTON — Seven more Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) gang members from Dallas and Houston were sentenced to prison this week for their roles in the ABT criminal enterprise.

These sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson and Acting Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case is being investigated by the following agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; FBI; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Prisons; Texas Rangers; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Office of Inspector General; Texas sheriff’s offices in Montgomery, Harris, Atascosa, Orange, Waller, Galveston and Tarrant counties; Texas police departments in Houston, Alvin, Carrollton, Mesquite, Baytown and Fort Worth; and Texas district attorney’s offices in Montgomery, Atascosa and Harris counties.

On Friday, James Erik Sharron, 40, of Houston, and Steven Tobin Mullen, 45, of Dallas, were sentenced to respective terms of 72 and 156 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sim Lake. On Nov. 13, Larry Max Bryan, 52, of Houston, and Terry Ross Blake, 56, of Corpus Christi, both high-ranking leaders of the ABT, were sentenced to 300 and 180 months in federal prison, respectively. Jamie Grant Loveall, 38, and Kelly Ray Elley, 37, both of Houston; and Ronald Lee Prince, 44, of Dallas, were also sentenced to respective terms of 390, 270 and 120 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, the seven defendants were admitted members of ABT, a powerful race-based, statewide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States. Along with other ABT gang members and associates, they agreed to commit multiple acts of murder, robbery, arson, kidnapping and narcotics trafficking on behalf of the ABT gang.

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. Previously, ABT was primarily concerned with protecting white inmates and white supremacy/separatism. But over time, ABT has expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit, according to court records.

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.

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

The defendants sentenced this week are seven of 36 defendants convicted of conducting racketeering activity through the ABT criminal enterprise, among other charges.

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