For the past two years of the Obama administration, the US Department of Justice has been waging a secret war in Texas. This war was against the white supremacist group “The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas” also known as the ABT. This organization specialized in protection of white inmates in the Texas Prison System and later these inmates became part of a wide network. This network was engaged in multiple acts of murder, robbery, arson, kidnapping and narcotics trafficking. It was the responsibility of ABT soldiers to collect dues and enforce discipline among the ABT group members. The ABT has been in active existence for the past 30 years. It was established sometime during the 1980’s. They not only engage in crime but also actively espouse a white supremacist ideology and does not hesitate to murder.
This past Friday, ABT Leader James “Skitz” Sampsell and street soldier Michal “Big Mike” Villarreal each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. According to the Department of Justice [DOJ] website “By pleading guilty to racketeering charges, Sampsell and Villarreal admitted to being members of the ABT criminal enterprise.” In addition to these arrests the DOJ has been hiding another top leader in an undisclosed location. Federal authorities have had Terry Sillers in custody since 2011. As a top leader Sillers gave orders that were followed without question by all members of the ABT. While in custody Sillers has testified against at least 34 middle and top level ABT members that will result in the death penalty for some of the accused. Arrests were made in cities throughout the state of Texas including Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
Even in Jasper, Texas which has received national attention because of the murder-lynching of a black father of three Alfred Wright Jr., there has been significant activity. On January 23, 2014, a joint task force of Jasper Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s office along with agents from Homeland Security, D.E.A., United States Marshall Service, Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a series of arrests on a drug ring. The undercover operation resulted in the arrests of 25 people, drugs cash and weapons.
Sillers’ testimony and the arrests of members of the ABT have resulted in a hammer blow to the white supremacist organization.
