Crime Time

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas has deep roots in Tarrant County, officials say

The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, which has been mentioned in reports about the killing of prosecutors in Kaufman County, is active in Tarrant County.

"We probably run across them on a daily basis," said Herschel Tebay, commander of the Tarrant County Narcotics Unit.

"If," he added, "we run across white males dealing in drugs in Tarrant County, there's a good chance the Aryan Brotherhood is involved in one way or the other."

Investigators have yet to say whether they really believe the ABT is responsible for the Kaufman murders. But this Texas prison gang is known for extreme violence and illegal drug dealings in Tarrant County, Tebay and other officials said Tuesday.

For example, Stephen Lance Heard (shown above) was affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood. He was convicted in the killing of Fort Worth police officer Henry "Hank" Nava in November 2005.

But there are more Tarrant County stories involving the ABT. Read more in this report by Domingo Ramirez Jr.

— Bill Miller

Affidavit says murder suspects wanted to rob Robert Dodson before killing him

An oil executive found slain in a burning vehicle last month in Godley had smoked marijuana with his two alleged killers inside the home of one of the suspects shortly before he was robbed, hog-tied and strangled with an electrical cord, according to court documents.

Dean Allen Walden (below) confessed to investigators that he and Joseph "Joey" Dodson (right) then loaded the body of 44-year-old Robert "Dodd" Dodson into the victim's own Dodge Nitro and later burned the vehicle and body at a remote gas well site, according to state arrest warrant affidavits obtained by the Star-Telegram.

The affidavit states the victim's arms and legs had been bound with a metal cable. The affidavits do not clarify how Robert Dodson was acquainted with the suspects.

But the document does state that Joseph Dodson is an Aryan Brotherhood member who goes by the street name of "Short Sight."

Deanna Boyd received the affidavit and filed this report.

Note: Investigators said last week that Robert Dodson and Joseph Dodson are not related, even though they have the same last name.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/11/14/4413497/man-found-burned-in-suv-had-been.html#storylink=cpy

Aryan Brotherhood 'generals' busted in Texas sweep

Four top "generals" of the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood of Texas are among nearly three dozen alleged gang members charged in a sweeping indictment unsealed Friday that accuses them of crimes ranging from capital murder to drug trafficking.

Ten of defendants are facing charges that carry a death penalty.

"Brutal beatings, fire bombings, drug trafficking and murder are all part of ABT's alleged standard operating procedure," Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breurer said in a statement. "As charged, ABT uses violence and threats of violence to maintain internal discipline and to retaliate against those believed to be cooperating with law enforcement."

As examples of the gang's brutality, the indictment says one leader ordered a subordinate to kill a gang prospect and return his severed finger, and another was told to burn a tattoo from a member's arm for not following an order.

All are charged with racketeering conspiracy. Some were charged with involvement in at least three murders, multiple attempted murders, kidnappings, assaults and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

Read more in this report by Michael Graczyk of The Associated Press. 

And by the way, the FBI's press release on this case states that Fort Worth police and the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office are among numerous agencies that helped the investigation. (That information is toward the bottom of the release.)

-- Bill Miller

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/11/09/4401910/dozens-of-white-supremacist-gang.html#storylink=cpy