Multi-Agency Investigation Results in Charges Against 18 Members and Associates of Violent White Supremacist Gang

Charges Include Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Kidnapping, Assault and Firearms

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that multiple members and associates of a white supremacist gang known as the 1488s, have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in a racketeering enterprise involving narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking, and acts of violence including murder, assault, and kidnapping.

In a recently unsealed indictment, Filthy Fuhrer, (formerly Timothy Lobdell), 42; Roy Naughton, aka “Thumper,” 40; Glen Baldwin, aka “Glen Dog,” 37; Craig King, aka “Oakie,” 53; Beau Cook, 32; and Colter O’Dell, 26, have each been charged with murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit assault and kidnapping in aid of racketeering.  Two other key members, Nicholas M. Kozorra, aka “Beast,” 29, and Dustin J. Clowers, 34, previously pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering in recently unsealed court documents.

“The highest priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska, which is consistent with the priorities of the Attorney General of the United States, is to stop violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “We will focus on chronic violent offenders, including criminals who unify through racial hatred and commit violent crimes.”

“While the violent crimes these individuals are charged with are certainly serious in and of themselves, their affiliation in support of a white supremacy enterprise is of even greater concern,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffery Peterson of FBI’s Anchorage Division.  “This impactful case demonstrates law enforcement’s abilities to penetrate even the most secret organizations through cooperation at all levels and sharing a common goal.”

“We are very proud of the meticulous work done by all of our trooper investigators and the investigators from our partnering agencies,” said AST Captain David Hanson, Commander of Alaska Bureau of Investigation. “This outcome was made possible through the effort and guidance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which resulted in an array of federal indictments on numerous 1488 gang members.”

According to the indictment, the 1488s are a violent and “whites only” prison-based gang with approximately 50 to 100 members operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Alaska and elsewhere.  The 1488s allegedly offered protection to white inmates if they joined the gang, and all members were required to “be white, look white and act white.”  Members allegedly often had tattoos incorporating Nazi-style symbols; however, the most coveted tattoo of 1488s members was the 1488s “patch” that could be worn only by “made” members who generally gained full membership by committing an act of violence on behalf of the gang.

It is further alleged that Filthy Fuhrer, Naughton, Baldwin, King, Cook, and O’Dell played a role in the August 2017 beating, kidnapping, and murder of Michael Staton, aka “Steak Knife.”  

An additional 14 indictments have resulted from the investigation into the 1488 organization, members, and associates including:

    Christopher Davidson, 35, sentenced to serve 90 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms;

    Justin Eaton, aka “Skulls,” 44, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Justin Hoff, 30, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Taylor Lack, 23, sentenced to serve six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Mica Messinger, 37, sentenced to serve 70 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Angie Minnick, 41, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances;

    Alexander Netling, aka “Bruiser,” 25, sentenced to serve five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Michael Oman, aka “Donkey,” 29, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Jason Rose, aka “Honkey,” 42, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and for being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Shawn Schmidt, 33, sentenced to serve 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Charles Soper, aka “Slim,” 25, sentenced to serve 34 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;

    Jeffrey Robinson, 37, sentenced to serve nine years in prison for drug conspiracy;

    Roy Naughton, sentenced to serve 100 months in prison for carjacking;

    Colter O’Dell, sentenced to serve 27 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    

    According to the indictment, as part of their operations, 1488s members and associates allegedly engaged in illegal activities under the protection of the enterprise, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and other illegal activities to generate income.  The 1488s allegedly had a detailed and uniform organizational structure, which is outlined in written “rules” widely distributed to members throughout Alaska and elsewhere.  Members of the 1488s allegedly acted in different roles in order to further the goals of their organization, including “bosses” who had ultimate authority in all gang matters. “Key holders” were allegedly responsible for all gang matters within penal facilities where 1488s had a presence, and in “free world” Alaska (outside of prison). “Enforcers” were allegedly responsible for enforcing the rules and performing tasks as assigned by higher-ranking gang members.

    

    The indictment further alleges the 1488 gang was established in approximately 2010 within the Alaska Department of Corrections and by Alaskan inmates incarcerated within the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Arizona Department of Corrections through interstate compact agreements.

    

    The FBI and AST Alaska Bureau of Investigation Special Crimes Investigation Unit and Technical Crimes Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) Mat-Su Drug Unit, AST ‘B’ Detachment Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Suppression Unit, and AST’s participation in the Task Force Officer program led the investigation.  Investigative Assistance was provided by IRS Criminal Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Anchorage Police Department (APD), the State of Alaska’s Department of Corrections and the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Taylor and James Klugman of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Marty Woelfle of OCGS.

    

    The charges in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Leader of Poly-Drug Trafficking and International Money Laundering Ring Sentenced to 210 Months in Prison

ANCHORAGE—U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on September 14, 2012, Daniel Isaac Meza, 37, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for his leading role in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and a quantity of oxycodone. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess imposed the sentence, which also included a $13,500 fine.

In his prior guilty plea, Meza admitted to supplying illegal drugs to multiple members of the trafficking organization, who then redistributed to lower-level dealers and drug users. Meza was the last of 11 charged defendants to be convicted of involvement in the expansive drug trafficking network, whose members were responsible for trafficking large amounts of illegal narcotics in Alaska and laundering the proceeds by wire transfer to El Salvador, Mexico, and Colombia. Eight defendants have now been indicted and convicted of direct participation in Meza’s conspiracy, which was charged along with a related conspiracy involving Patrick Sherman, a former corrections officer at Anchorage Correctional Complex. Sherman was convicted in November 2010, of cooperating with co-conspirator Brandi Barnes to distribute marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, along with syringes, in Anchorage Correctional Complex. Barnes pled guilty to her role in both related conspiracies on March 2, 2012. Two defendants—James McAnulty and Robyn Ray—were not directly charged in the conspiracy but have been convicted, respectively, of distributing cocaine on behalf of conspiracy member Billy Fuller and laundering more than $40,000 in drug proceeds for Meza. Edwin Giovanni Enriquez, Billy Walter Fuller, Michael George Raab, Debbie Beisinaiz, and Cori Jean Hillar, were also convicted for their roles in the conspiracy.

Additionally, Meza pled guilty to one count of international money laundering relating to drug trafficking. The indictment alleged that he sent drug proceeds to Mexico, Colombia, and El Salvador on 21 occasions. At this point, all of the defendants have been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy.

According to information presented to the court at sentencing, Meza imported cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and oxycontin into Alaska, where these substances were distributed by a network of associates that included all of the other conspirators. Court documents alleged that Meza used hollowed-out Coleman coolers to smuggle narcotics into Alaska, and then transported money out of Alaska by wire transfer or by physical transportation of bulk currency concealed in electronic equipment. Court documents alleged that over 100 grams of heroin were found in Meza’s freezer in July of 2010, and that this heroin was only part of more than a kilogram of heroin that Meza distributed at an earlier time. Law enforcement exposed Meza’s organization by utilizing several court ordered telephone wiretaps.

In imposing sentence, Judge Burgess noted the seriousness and breadth of the crime, finding that Meza was an organizer and leader of the conspiracy, and found that Meza committed the offense as part of a pattern of criminal conduct engaged in as a livelihood.

The case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anchorage District Office, and the Alaska State Troopers Mat-Su Narcotics Unit; the investigation was supported by numerous agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Anchorage Police Department, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Anchorage Airport Police.

Members of Large Alaska Drug Conspiracy Indicted

Indictment Includes Members of a Local Rap Group Who Sang About Drug Trafficking

ANCHORAGE—U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that seven men and one woman were arrested during a joint federal and state takedown in Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta, Georgia; and Rochester, New York. Eleven individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on August 22, 2012, on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute powder cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy began in 2009 and continued through August 2012. The indictment detailed multiple shipments of cocaine to Alaska involving over 50 kilograms of cocaine.

The indictment names Donnell R. S. Johnson, a/k/a “D,” a/k/a “Creep”; Terrance S. Fleming, a/k/a “Baydilla,” a/k/a “Fatboy,” a/k/a “Rodney William Payne”; Antonio Fleming, a/k/a “Wookie,”; Dalon Johnson, a/k/a “DayDay,”; Tevoris Carter, a/k/a “Peanut,” a/k/a “Young Money”; Rock Edward Phelps, II, a/k/a “Skitzo Scoe,”; Demar Moultrie, a/k/a “Duckmane,” a/k/a “All Day”; Jeraelyn Hill, a/k/a “Dredhead,” a/k/a “Rae”; Jerry Wormley, Jr., a/k/a “Two-tone”; Emma Elizabeth Shine; and Brent Gunnels, a/k/a “BG,” as defendants.

The indictment alleges that Donnell Johnson, Terrance and Antonio Fleming, Dalon Johnson, Carter, Phelps, Moultrie, Hill, Wormley, and Shine would receive shipments of powder cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana from sources in Nevada, California, and Washington and then distributed it in Anchorage and Fairbanks between 2009 and August 2012. The indictment alleges that Donnell Johnson, Terrance Fleming, Antonio Fleming, Dalon Johnson, Tavoris Carter, Rock Phelps, Demar Moultrie, and Jeraelyn Hill were affiliated with a local rap group known as UNDB (Up North “D” Boys), as well as Out Da Cutt Records. The indictment alleges that drug proceeds were used in an attempt to facilitate and legitimize the music careers of the members of the conspiracy by making it appear that they were profitable recording artists. These individuals produced and featured themselves in several music videos available on the website YouTube.com. In these videos, they perform under the stage names mentioned as aliases in the indictment, and lyrics to many of the songs refer to drug trafficking.

The indictment also alleges that Donnell Johnson, Shine, and Gunnels also conspired in an attempt to destroy evidence that was associated with the conspiracy located at one of Johnson’s residences in North Pole, Alaska. According to the indictment, the Donnell Johnson, Shine, and Gunnels conspired to remove a firearm and other evidence from the North Pole residence. Finally, the indictment seeks to forfeit property that facilitated the drug trafficking conspiracy, as well as property that constituted drug proceeds. Include are cash, custom jewelry, a firearm, 10 vehicles, and a house located on Dannilynn Circle in Anchorage.

Terrence Fleming, 32, formerly of Anchorage, was arrested on August 30, in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Firearms, packaging material, and custom jewelry were seized from his residence.

Carter, 26, and Moultrie, 24, also who previously resided in Anchorage, were arrested on August 30 in Rochester, New York. Terrance Fleming, Carter, and Moultrie are being detained pending transfer back to Anchorage.

Antonio Fleming, 33; Emma Shine, 24; Dalon Johnson, 35; Rock Phelps, 26; and Jeraelyn Hill, 24, were arrested on August 30, in Anchorage. Crack cocaine and a gun were seized from Shine’s residence. Over $10,000 in cash was seized with a residence associated with Antonio Fleming. They were being arraigned in federal court this morning.

Donnell Johnson, 30, has been in custody since January 2012. The indictment alleges that he was responsible for distribution of cocaine in Fairbanks.

Police have not yet arrested Jerry Wormley, Jr., 34, and Brent Gunnels, 31, both of Fairbanks. Authorities are seeking information as to their whereabouts.

The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska. The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both. Under the federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Anchorage Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the indictment. They were assisted by federal and local law enforcement in Atlanta, Rochester, and Oakland.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Anchorage Man Indicted for Kidnapping and Killing Samantha Koenig

ANCHORAGE—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, April 18, 2012, that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Israel Keyes on charges that he kidnapped and killed 18-year-old Samantha Koenig.

The indictment charges Keyes with three counts: (1) kidnapping resulting in the death of Samantha Koenig, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(1); (2) receiving and possessing ransom money in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1202(a); and (3) access device fraud, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(5).

The indictment alleges that Israel Keyes, age 34, abducted Samantha Koenig from the Common Grounds coffee stand on Tudor Road on February 1, 2012 and took her against her will to his white pickup truck that was parked across the street. The allegations continue that he confined her and intentionally killed her early the next morning.

The indictment also alleges that Keyes stole a debit card from a vehicle shared by Ms. Koenig that was parked near her residence and that he further obtained the PIN for that card from Samantha Koenig. Keyes also sent text messages from Samantha’s cell phone to conceal her abduction. According to the indictment, Keyes then left Alaska and boarded a flight to Texas.

The indictment further alleges that on February 24, Keyes sent a text message using Samantha’s cell phone for the purpose of demanding that ransom money be placed into the bank account connected to the stolen debit card. With the help of the reward money generously contributed by members of this community, Samantha’s family deposited money into this account, and the indictment charges that Keyes used the stolen debit card to withdraw this ransom money from ATMs in Alaska, and then in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Law enforcement was able to track these withdrawals.

The crime of kidnapping and killing Samantha Koenig charged in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or death. The United States anticipates that Israel Keyes will be arraigned in federal court on these charges tomorrow.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charges today are the result of the dedicated work and cooperation of the Anchorage Police Department, the FBI, the Texas Rangers and State Police, the Lufkin Texas Police Department, the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office.