Three members of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang were sentenced by a federal judge following a conviction for a RICO conspiracy involving multiple violent crimes. On Monday, Francis Clement, 58, and Kenneth Johnson, 63, were sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of several murders in aid of racketeering. John Stinson, 70, was sentenced to 20 years for one count of RICO conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In February, the jury found that Clement, Johnson, and Stinson played key roles in directing crimes inside and outside prison using smuggled cellphones. Clement was linked to five murders, Johnson to two, all related to enforcing gang rules and managing debts. Stinson, a high-ranking leader, coordinated criminal activities from his cell. The Aryan Brotherhood was involved in methamphetamine distribution, contract killings, and drug trafficking. In October 2020, Johnson and Clement ordered the murders of Roshanski and Magomedgadzhiev. Clement also directed the murders of Michael Brizendine, Ronald Ennis, and James Yagle through 2022, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“The convicted defendants led a notorious prison gang that committed ruthless murders, widespread methamphetamine trafficking, and perpetuated a culture of mayhem, fear, and disorder within the prison system that bled into the outside world,” said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The case involved cooperation between the Criminal Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Office of Correctional Safety, local police departments, and district attorney’s offices. Three defendants have pleaded guilty, and five are awaiting trial in the case against the Aryan Brotherhood, part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces efforts. Acting Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Director Daniel Driscoll stated that law enforcement will continue to target violent gangs and hold their leaders accountable, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
