Benjamin Dillon, Racketeering Aggravated Assault, Texas 2012

Two members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in an aggravated assault that took place in Tomball, Texas, in September 2008.

Benjamin Dillon, 39, aka ‘Tuff,’ was sentenced on May 11, 2012, to 41 months in prison. Justin Northrup, 27, aka ‘Ruthless,’ was sentenced to 63 months in prison on April 27, 2012.

The defendants, who are both from the greater Houston-area, pleaded guilty to racketeering aggravated assault for their role in an attack against an ABT prospect member.

The ABT is a powerful race-based, state-wide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States. The ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system.

According to court documents, the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects, and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise.

Dillon and Northrup, along with 10 fellow ABT gang members, participated in the beating of an ABT prospect member at the home of another ABT gang leader, Steven Walter Cooke, 48, aka ‘Stainless,’ in Tomball, Texas, on Sept. 22, 2008.

The case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Texas Rangers; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Montgomery County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department; the Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Tomball Police Department; Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Inspector General; and the Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman of the Southern District of Texas in Houston.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Benjamin Dillon; Charges: Racketeering Aggravated Assault; Location: Tomball, Texas; Date: 2008; Sentence: 41 months in prison; Date: May 11, 2012.

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