Idaho Gang Leader Admits to Racketeering, Assault With a Deadly Weapon in Federal RICO Case: USDA Announce
A former leader of the Idaho prison gang system, the Aryan Knights, made an appearance in court on Monday.
A 43-year-old man named James Ramsey has admitted to being involved in a criminal organization and committing assault with a dangerous weapon.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. All defendants in a ten-defendant RICO case charged in 2019 have now pleaded guilty, according to the office. The sentencing date for Ramsey has been scheduled for October 22, 2024.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has stated that the individual in question has been associated with the group known as the “Aryan Knights” since at least 2007. This prison gang operates both inside and outside of Idaho Department of Correction prison facilities. It was established to coordinate illegal operations for a specific group of white inmates under IDOC custody.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has stated that the defendant has occupied different positions of authority, including serving as the top figure of the gang in 2015 and 2016. The U.S. Attorney’s office has identified the gang as a corrupt racketeering enterprise, as defined in the RICO statute.
The gang’s code of conduct emphasizes obedience to leaders and strict discipline. Allegedly, it is reported that the organization generates its income through various illegal activities, including extortion, smuggling, and the distribution of controlled substances within IDOC facilities.
A news release issued on Monday night by the U.S. Attorney’s Office states that Ramsey willingly agreed to participate in the gang’s activities through a series of illegal actions.
Leaders, including the defendant, ordered members to participate in criminal activity, among other things. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has revealed that the defendant was actively involved in the Aryan Knights group, engaging in frequent communication with other members. These discussions revolved around various illegal activities, such as debt collection, extortion within IDOC prison facilities, and the distribution of controlled substances.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office has stated that the defendant was involved in a racketeering conspiracy and was aware that other members would also be involved in certain acts.
Between 2010 and 2017, the group was involved in drug trafficking within IDOC. There have been various incidents involving the smuggling of methamphetamine into IDOC. These include a scheme in 2015-2016 where an inmate’s wheelchair was used, another incident where methamphetamine was smuggled in through another inmate’s girlfriend, and the implementation of a system of “kick downs” by the Defendant. During this period, the defendant and other individuals were involved in the distribution and organization of drug trafficking, specifically methamphetamine.
In the spring of 2016, the Defendant issued an order for members to assault a former Aryan Knight member who was also an inmate. In June 2016, Harlan Hale and two accomplices assaulted the victim on an IDOC baseball field.
The attackers repeatedly assaulted the victim using makeshift weapons, with the intention of causing fatal harm. Hale has already admitted to participating in the RICO conspiracy and acknowledged that he carried out this attack as part of his gang affiliation.
All ten individuals involved in this case have admitted their guilt, with eight of them already receiving their sentences.
Harlan Hale, 58, received a life sentence in March of 2021 and will serve it in federal prison.
Christopher Foss, aged 35, received a federal prison sentence of 210 months in September 2020. He will serve 174 months after his earliest possible parole date for his current state prison sentence. Foss was also instructed to complete five years of supervised release after his time in prison.
Buck Pickens, 35, received a sentence of 206 months in federal prison in September 2020. He will serve 60 months after his earliest possible parole date for his current sentence. Pickens was also instructed to complete five years of supervised release after his time in prison.
Steven Bowman, aged 41, received a sentence of 78 months in federal prison in May 2023. This sentence will be served after his earliest possible parole date for his current offense. Bowman was also instructed to complete five years of supervised release after his time in prison.
Nicholas Sites, aged 39, received a 55-month federal prison sentence in January 2023. Sites was also instructed to complete five years of supervised release after his time in prison.
Mark Woodland, aged 53, received a 51-month federal prison sentence in June 2023. This sentence will commence after he becomes eligible for parole from his current conviction. Woodland has been directed to serve three years of supervised release after his time in prison.
Lucas Johnson, aged 35, received a 48-month federal prison sentence in May 2021, which will be followed by five years of supervised release.
Michael McNabb, aged 40, received a 28-month federal prison sentence in August 2020, which will be followed by three years of supervised release.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation into this case, receiving support from IDOC’s Special Investigations Unit, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office as reported by Idaho News.
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