Thomas Williamson Sr. and Jeffrey Veach, Violent Extortion, Indiana 2016

WASHINGTON – In a shocking turn of events, two officials from the local Iron Workers union pleaded guilty to violent extortion in Indiana. Thomas Williamson Sr., 68, and Jeffrey Veach, 56, face prison time for their role in a brutal assault on a group of non-union ironworkers in Dyer, Indiana.

The attack, which left multiple workers with serious injuries, was part of an effort to obtain a contract for the union to assist with the construction of the Plum Creek Christian Academy, a school affiliated with the Dyer Baptist Church.

According to court documents, Williamson and Veach conspired to use actual and threatened violence to obtain contracts for Local 395, a labor union based in Portage, Indiana. On January 6-7, 2016, the two defendants visited the church jobsite, where they confronted the foreman of the D5 crew and demanded that he sign up with Local 395 or stop work on the site.

When the foreman refused, Williamson and Veach returned with a group of 10 rank-and-file members of Local 395, who attacked the D5 workers and beat them with fists and loose pieces of hardwood, kicking them while they were on the ground. One D5 worker sustained a broken jaw that required several surgeries and extended hospitalization.

Williamson and Veach pleaded guilty to one count of extortion conspiracy before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin of the Northern District of Indiana. Under federal law, following their guilty pleas, Veach will forfeit his position as president of Local 395, and both men will be barred from holding any union position for at least 13 years following the end of any prison sentences they may serve.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Dyer Police Department. Trial Attorneys Alexander Gottfried and Robert Tully of the Criminal Division's Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.

Defendant information: Thomas Williamson Sr., 68, Jeffrey Veach, 56, Local 395, Iron Workers union, Portage, Indiana. Exact criminal charge: Extortion conspiracy. City and state: Dyer, Indiana. Exact date: January 6-7, 2016. Sentence or outcome: Pending sentencing. Dollar amounts: None.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/union-officials-plead-guilty-violent-extortion