Jefferson County Man Guilty of Child Pornography Violations

BEAUMONT, TX—A 20-year-old Nederland, Texas man, who now lives in Houston, has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Lehi Sorenson pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography today before U.S. Magistrate judge Keith F. Giblin.

According to information presented in court, on January 12, 2011, federal officials executed a search warrant at Sorenson’s residence in Nederland, Texas. Several computers and digital storage were seized during the search and found to contain more than 1180 images of child pornography. Some of the material would be considered sadistic or masochistic and some depicted prepubescent children under the age of 12. An information was filed on August 8, 2012, charging Sorenson with possession of child pornography.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Sorenson faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nederland Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Member Sentenced for Role in 2009 Jefferson County Shooting

BEAUMONT, Texas — A member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) was sentenced today his role in the 2009 shooting of a man in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Joshua Mark Bodine, aka “Desperado,” 32, of Vidor, Texas, pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2011, to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

Co–defendant John Oliver Manning, aka “Fish,” 52, of Pasadena, Texas, was convicted on Dec. 1, 2011, of racketeering and firearms charges.

According to the indictment, the ABT is a race–based, state–wide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the United States. The ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system. It modeled itself after and adopted many of the teachings and writings of the Aryan Brotherhood, a California–based prison gang that was formed in the California prison system during the 1960s. According to the indictment, the ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and white supremacy/separatism. Over time, the ABT expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit.

The evidence presented at trial also showed that the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise. Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher–ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

The evidence at Manning’s trial established that on Sept. 7, 2009, Manning shot and wounded ABT associate Matthew Fails in Nederland, Texas, on the orders of Bodine. Specifically, Manning approached Fails with a firearm and a pair of handcuffs in an attempt to collect a debt on Bodine’s behalf, and ultimately shot Fails. Fails was declared brain–dead, but later regained consciousness after emergency surgery. A surgeon testified that the wound Fails received caused “agonizing pain” and that Fails “would not ever be the same.”

Bodine has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 24, 2011, and Manning has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 9, 2009. A sentencing date for Manning has not yet been set by the court.

The case was investigated by the ATF; the Nederland Police Department; Orange County, Texas, Constable’s Office, Precinct 2; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Williamson County Sheriff’s Office; Chambers County Sheriff’s Office; Alvin, Texas, Police Department; Mont Belvieu, Texas, Police Department; and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Baylor Wortham of the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Cody L. Skipper of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in 2009 Shooting

WASHINGTON – A member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2009 shooting of a man in Jefferson County, Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John M. Bales of the Eastern District of Texas.

 Joshua Mark Bodine, 32, aka “Desperado,” of Vidor, Texas, also was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Marcia A. Crone to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.  Bodine pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2011, to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity.

 Co-defendant John Oliver Manning, 52, aka “Fish,” of Pasadena, Texas, was convicted on Dec. 1, 2011, of racketeering and firearms charges.  Bodine has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 24, 2011, and Manning has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 9, 2009.  A sentencing date for Manning has not yet been set by the court.

 According to the indictment, the ABT is a race-based, state-wide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the United States.  The ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system.  It modeled itself after and adopted many of the teachings and writings of the Aryan Brotherhood, a California-based prison gang that was formed in the California prison system during the 1960s.  According to the indictment, the ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and white supremacy/separatism.  Over time, the ABT expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit.

 The evidence presented at Manning’s trial also showed that the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise.  Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members.

 The evidence at trial established that on Sept. 7, 2009, Manning shot and wounded ABT associate Matthew Fails in Nederland, Texas, on the orders of Bodine.  Specifically, Manning approached Fails with a firearm and a pair of handcuffs in an attempt to collect a debt on Bodine’s behalf and ultimately shot Fails.  Fails was declared brain-dead, but later regained consciousness after emergency surgery.  A surgeon testified that the wound Fails received caused “agonizing pain” and that Fails “would not ever be the same.”

 The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive; the Nederland Police Department; Orange County, Texas, Constable’s Office, Precinct 2; Jefferson County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Williamson County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Chambers County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Alvin, Texas, Police Department; Mont Belvieu, Texas, Police Department; and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Baylor Wortham of the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Cody L. Skipper of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Member Convicted of Federal Racketeering and Firearms Charges Related to Jefferson County, Texas, Shooting

WASHINGTON – A member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) was convicted yesterday of racketeering and firearms charges related to his role in the 2009 shooting of a man in Jefferson County, Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John M. Bales of the Eastern District of Texas.  

John Oliver Manning, aka “Fish,” 52, of Pasadena, Texas, was charged by a federal grand jury on Mar. 17, 2011, with violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity.   The activities include conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  

Co-defendant Joshua Mark Bodine, aka “Desperado,” 32, of Vidor, Texas, pleaded guilty Oct. 11, 2011, to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity.   Bodine has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 24, 2011, and Manning has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 9, 2009.

According to the indictment, the ABT is a race-based, state-wide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States.   The ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system.   It 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.   According to the indictment, previously, the ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and white supremacy/separatism.   Over time, the ABT expanded its focus to create a criminal enterprise that includes illegal activities for profit.

According to evidence presented at trial, the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise.   Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

The evidence at trial established that on Sept. 7, 2009, Manning shot and wounded ABT associate Matthew Fails in Nederland, Texas, on the orders of Bodine.   Specifically, Manning approached Fails with a firearm and a pair of handcuffs in an attempt to collect a debt on Bodine’s behalf, and ultimately shot Fails.   Fails was declared brain-dead, but later regained consciousness after emergency surgery.   A surgeon testified that the wound Fails received caused “agonizing pain” and that Fails “would not ever be the same.”

At sentencing, Manning faces up to life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.   Sentencing dates have not been scheduled for Manning and Bodine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Nederland Police Department; Orange County, Texas, Constable’s Office, Precinct 2; Jefferson County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Williamson County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Chambers County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; Alvin, Texas, Police Department; Mont Belvieu, Texas, Police Department; Texas Department of Criminal Justice.   The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Cody L. Skipper of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Baylor Wortham of the Eastern District of Texas.