This week's five most wanted fugitives in Wichita Falls include those facing charges of evading, drug possession and tampering with physical evidence. Patrick Johnston
Nearly five dozen people connected to various white supremacist gangs in North Texas have been charged federally on kidnapping and drug trafficking conspiracies, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office press release earlier this month.
In an alleged kidnapping, four of the individuals held a man hostage for alleged stolen drug proceeds and chopped off part of his left index finger with a hatchet after threatening to kill him, the release stated.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas announced on May 1 that 57 individuals had been charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and drug trafficking conspiracies by the Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigations Division.
Of the 57 people indicted, 42 of them were arrested at the end of April in a "takedown operation" and nine were already in custody at various locations on unrelated charges. The other six have not yet been arrested, the release stated.
Each of the defendants already in custody have made their initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge.
“Not only do white supremacists gangs subscribe to a repugnant, hateful ideology, they also engage in significant, organized and violent criminal activity,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said.
“Under the Trump administration, the Department of Justice has targeted every violent criminal gang member in the United States. The quantities of drugs, guns, and money seized in this case are staggering."
According to the Indictment, the defendants were members of, associated with, or performed drug transactions with, various white supremacists organizations or individuals including the Aryan Circle, the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, the Aryan Brotherhood, the Peckerwoods, the Soldiers of Aryan Culture and the Dirty White Boys.
They reportedly engaged in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics throughout North Texas and elsewhere.
Some of the defendants were also member of or associated with the criminal street or prison gang Tango Blast, according to the release. Several of the defendants allegedly used firearms to further their drug trafficking activities.
From around October 2015 through April 2018, the defendants reportedly worked together and with others to possess with the intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine.
They allegedly arranged to acquire the methamphetamine and then to distribute and deliver it.
According to the indictment, the defendants used stash houses or other locations to store the narcotic and acted as intermediaries and brokers to negotiate the drug sales.
In January and February 2018, four defendants are accused of kidnapping an individual and holding him for several days to obtain alleged stolen drug proceeds.
They reportedly pointed a pistol at his head, threatened to kill him, hit him with a large wooden object on the back of the head and used a hatchet to chop off a portion of the man's left index finger.
During their investigation, agents seized over 190 kilograms – almost 420 pounds – of methamphetamine, 31 firearms and about $376,587 in cash.
“Drug trafficking is a dangerous and violent business – that is a reality," Sessions said. "It is clear that these hate-fueled gangs will do whatever they must do in order to carry on their drug trafficking business.
"Firearms, body armor, illegal drugs, drug proceeds and unspeakable physical violence are the tools of their trade.”
A federal criminal Indictment is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
The U.S. Marshal Service North Texas Fugitive Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Irving, Garland, Rockwall, Mesquite and Fort Worth police departments; and the Dallas County and Rockwall County sheriff’s offices assisted in the investigation.