Aryan Brotherhood Leaders Sentenced to Life for Prison-Based Racketeering Murders

Three high-ranking members of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang were sentenced to federal prison for their leadership roles in a wide-ranging racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, fraud, and robbery orchestrated from within California state prisons. Francis Clement and Kenneth Johnson received life sentences without parole after being found guilty of ordering several murders, including five by Clement and two by Johnson, using contraband cellphones to direct violent acts and criminal enterprises both inside and outside prison. John Stinson, already serving a life sentence, was sentenced to 20 additional years for RICO conspiracy and was identified as a key leader involved in overseeing gang operations, drug trafficking, and violent enforcement actions. The gang smuggled methamphetamine into prisons and profited from drug and fraud schemes, with proceeds flowing up the leadership chain. The coordinated law enforcement efforts involved multiple agencies, emphasizing that prison walls do not protect violent gang leaders from justice. Prosecutors highlighted the continuing threat posed by prison-based organized crime and vowed to continue targeting such violent enterprises.