Grimy Times: Two Aryan Brotherhood associates, Chris Voerhis and Derrick Cooper, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution operation in Texas.
On October 8, 2015, both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute between 50 grams and 500 grams of methamphetamine.
This afternoon, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. sentenced 51–year-old Chris Voerhis (aka “Lurch”) of Moffat, TX, to 168 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and 35–year-old Derrick Cooper (aka “Red”) of Temple, TX, to 84 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Smith also ordered both defendants to pay a $1,000 fine.
The operation, codenamed “La Flama Blanca,” was a joint effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies targeting the Aryan Brotherhood gang in Central Texas. The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately nine pounds of “crystal” methamphetamine, 15 firearms, and over $9,000 in U.S. Currency.
“These sentences resulted from unprecedented collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement targeting a large-scale prison gang involved in violent organized crime over three counties in Central Texas,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.
To date, 34 individuals have been sentenced in connection with this investigation to imprisonment ranging from just under two years to 35 years in federal prison. The case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Temple Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Office of Inspector General, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, Gatesville Police Department, Lampasas Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Austin Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Frazier and Stephanie Smith-Burris prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
The Aryan Brotherhood gang has been a major player in the methamphetamine trade in Central Texas, and this operation has dealt a significant blow to their operations. The efforts of law enforcement have prevented numerous violent crimes and have made the communities of Central Texas safer.
The case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the need for continued efforts to combat organized crime in Texas.
Related Federal Cases
- Jeremy David Farley, Methamphetamine Distribution, Texas 2020 · Illinois
- Salvador Martinez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Texas 2014 · Illinois
- Rachel Naomi Hernandez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Texas 2020 · Illinois
- Jose Gabriel Alvarez Ortiz, International Cocaine Distribution, Texas 2020 · Illinois
- Adrian Alberto Cano Gomez, Narco-Terrorism, International Cocaine Distribution, Texas 2024 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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