29 Arrested in Multiple Jurisdictions Following Texas Racketeering Indictment, Including 17 Former Corrections Officers

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A sealed indictment charging numerous defendants with racketeering violations has been unsealed following their recent arrests in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. The arrests include 17 former Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) correction officers and 12 others. A list of those taken into custody is attached.

The indictment was announced today by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with along with Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Brian M. Moskowitz, Inspector General Bruce Toney with TDCJ – Office of the Inspector General (TDCJ – OIG), Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS–CI) Lucy Cruz, Special Agent in Charge Melvin King Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Corpus Christi, Texas Police Department (CCPD) Chief Floyd D. Simpson and Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Following an operation involving federal, state and local law enforcement personnel, a total of 22 have been arrested on criminal charges in the indictment. Seven defendants named in the indictment were already in custody. As a result, a total of 29 people are now in custody in connection with the four–year investigation. Thirteen former correction officers were arrested on racketeering charges and four others on separate drug charges. The indictment remains sealed as to those charged but not as yet in custody.

The arrest of the former correction officers was a joint effort between TDCJ–OIG and federal authorities to attempt to break the "culture of corruption" that permeated the McConnell Unit Prison during a period between 2005 to the present. State and federal authorities worked together in a determined effort to disrupt and dismantle the violent criminal gangs who were profiting through the corruption of guards at the prison.

According to the indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury last week, 13 former TDCJ correction officers were part of a criminal enterprise that engaged in bribery and narcotics trafficking. The indictment details specific acts, wherein the correction officers assisted prisoners incarcerated in the TDCJ McConnell Unit Prison in Beeville, Texas by smuggling cellular telephones and drugs into the prison system. The drugs and phones were allegedly sold inside the prison to other inmates. The phones were used by inmates to assist in their coordination of criminal activities outside the prison, according to the allegations.

Today’s announcement caps a four–year investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI, TDCJ–OIG, IRS–CI, ATF, Gang and Organized Crime Units, USPIS and the Bee County District Attorney’s office. The investigation was initiated in 2009 when several Aryan Circle Gang Members were apprehended attempting to transport stolen vehicles from Corpus Christi to Brownsville, Texas. The vehicles were destined to be smuggled across the border and sold to Mexico Cartel members. The operation was coordinated by inmates incarcerated at the McConnell Unit through the use of illegal cell phones.

The resulting investigation led to a December 2010 federal indictment charging 14 alleged members and associates of the Raza Unida Street and Prison Gang with committing violent acts to support racketeering (VICAR). These violent acts included home invasions, shootings and conspiracy to commit murder. During the course of the investigation, agents and officers seized approximately 13 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with an estimated street value of more than $300,000. Additionally, seven assault rifles, 14 pistols, five shotguns, five bullet proof vests and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition were seized from the gang. All were subsequently convicted, two of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Patterson and Michael Hess.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.