Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced a significant conviction, resulting in a life sentence for Daniel Christopher Allen, a 34-year-old Rowlett resident and Aryan Circle gang member. According to details shared by the Collin County District Attorney's Office, Allen was sentenced after shooting at a Plano SWAT officer during a narcotics raid in August 2021.
The incident occurred when Plano Police SWAT officers were executing a search warrant at a property known for drug activity and connections to white supremacist groups. On the run from police, Allen fired his handgun at pursuing Officer Ben Rogers, who, managing to return fire, eventually subdued the assailant without further injuries. Jurors were presented with bodycam and drone footage that showed the chase and Allen's decision to open fire.
During the trial, the prosecution laid out Allen's criminal history, revealing that he had been a convicted felon since 2015 and was under felony probation at the time of the shooting. Furthermore, evidence of Allen's affiliation with Aryan Circle, a notoriously violent white supremacist prison gang, was presented to the jury. It took the jury less than 20 minutes to reach a unanimous guilty verdict, reflecting the weight of the evidence against Allen.
In the trial's sentencing phase, Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ann Mathew and Kailey Gillman brought forth the full context of Allen's criminal past and gang involvement. A gang expert provided testimony about Allen's deep-seated ties to the Aryan Circle. The life sentence handed down to Allen fell within the broad range of 5 to 99 years or life, which his crimes could carry.
