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Feds take aim at Aryan Brotherhood in New Mexico (7 a.m.)

By The Associated Press

Las Cruces Sun-News

Article Launched:06/29/2007 07:00:37 AM MDT

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Nineteen people said to have connections to the Aryan Brotherhood have been indicted by a federal grand jury on racketeering charges that allege the use of murder and other violence to solidify the prison gang's presence in New Mexico.

The indictments were announced late Thursday by acting U.S. Attorney Larry Gomez of New Mexico. His office said some of the defendants were arrested in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, while others were already in custody serving time in state prisons.

Federal prosecutors said the indictments were the result of a two-year investigation by the FBI and dozens of other federal, state and local agencies.

The indictments allege violations of federal law including violent crimes - murder, kidnapping and drug and firearm offenses - in aid of racketeering.

"In the past, the Aryan Brotherhood was primarily concerned with the protection of "white" inmates and white supremacy/separatism. The Aryan Brotherhood has expanded its focus to include illegal activities for profit," one of the indictments reads.

The court filings also touch on what's expected of gang members, how the gang is organized and how it communicates with members.

One of the indictments accuses a dozen people of plotting to kill former Otero County Sheriff's Deputy Billy Anders. He was sentenced to a year in prison for the December 2004 shooting death of Earl Flippen, who prosecutors say was the leader of the Aryan Brotherhood in New Mexico at the time.

Anders and Deputy Robert Hedman had responded to reports of gunshots at Flippen's home and noticed blood on the floor. Flippen refused to let them in, so Anders called for help and Hedman went to the back of the house.

According to state police, Flippen shot Hedman in the back of the house, then Anders exchanged shots with Flippen near the front. Anders took Flippen's gun and handcuffed him before going to check on his partner. After finding Hedman dead, Anders returned and shot Flippen.

Inside the home, police found the body of Flippen's pregnant girlfriend in a closet.

According to the indictment, Aryan Brotherhood members in Texas ordered a hit on Anders and a gang member in New Mexico recruited an undercover police officer to carry out the job. The officer had been promised a truck, a safe house and a weapon.

Another indictment involves the July 2005 death of Jimmy "Bo" Chunn, a 71-year-old Roosevelt County rancher who was found shot in the head in his Causey home. Court documents accuse three gang members of plotting Chunn's murder so they could obtain anhydrous ammonia to make methamphetamine.

The indictments also allege the gang carried out the murder of a prospective gang member who had contacted law enforcement as well as the beating of an inmate at the Guadalupe County Correctional Facility who had fallen out with gang leadership.

The Aryan Brotherhood in New Mexico, according to the indictments, is considered to be in its organizational phase. Once released from prison, members are expected to remain loyal to the gang and further its goals through criminal activity.