SACRAMENTO, CA – Justin Petty, 41, of Los Angeles, is facing a lengthy sentence after admitting his role in a sprawling racketeering conspiracy orchestrated from within California’s prison system. Petty pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, according to federal prosecutors. The case lays bare the chilling reach of the Aryan Brotherhood (AB), even behind bars.
Between 2011 and 2016, AB members and associates, including ringleaders Ronald Yandell and Billy Sylvester, allegedly built a sophisticated drug trafficking operation operating *from* their cells. Using smuggled cellphones, Yandell and Sylvester directed the flow of heroin and methamphetamine onto the streets of Sacramento and other California cities. The phones weren’t just for drug deals; they were used to order hits, manage AB membership, and oversee a wide range of criminal activity, all while the pair were serving time.
Federal investigators uncovered the scheme after intercepting packages sent by Petty, a contractor authorized by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to pack and deliver inmate packages. Between August and September 2016, Petty conspired with AB members at CSP-Sacramento and High Desert State Prison to smuggle contraband. On September 6, 2016, authorities seized one package at CSP-Sacramento stuffed with a horrifying arsenal of illegal items: three cellphones, two charging cables, six grinding discs, seven lighters, a battery, seven screwdrivers, two Bluetooth earpieces, ten metal saw blades, over 20 grams of methamphetamine, and 15 grams of heroin – all hidden inside boxes of Quaker Oats, Honey Buns, and fudge brownies.
But that wasn’t all. Another package from Petty, intercepted the same day, contained an even larger haul: approximately 10 cellphones, over 200 grams of heroin, and 120 grams of methamphetamine. This time, the contraband was concealed inside boxes of Oatmeal Creme Pies and more fudge brownies. The meticulous concealment efforts reveal a deliberate attempt to bypass prison security and maintain the AB’s criminal enterprise. Sixteen defendants were initially indicted in June 2019 under the RICO statute, including nine inmates already serving life sentences for murder.
Petty isn’t the only one facing consequences. Several other defendants have already pleaded guilty as part of the investigation. Nickolas Perez admitted to RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy. Donald Mazza pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Travis Burhop faces the same charges. Samuel Keeton and Kristen Demar both pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy. The investigation, led by the DEA with assistance from CDCR, the Vallejo Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, continues to unravel the network of violence and drug trafficking fueled by the Aryan Brotherhood.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California, led by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, is prosecuting the case. Sentencing dates for Petty and the other defendants have not yet been announced, but given the severity of the charges and the evidence presented, lengthy prison terms are expected. This case serves as a stark reminder that even behind prison walls, organized crime continues to thrive, demanding constant vigilance from law enforcement.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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