DALLAS — Fifteen members and associates of the white supremacist organization, Aryan Circle, have been charged in a federal indictment with offenses stemming from their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated from January 2017 through November 2017. U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas made the announcement today.

Eleven defendants were arrested and four others are in state custody. The eleven arrested have made their initial appearances in federal court and will remain in custody pending further court hearings.

 

Defendants, mostly residents of the area surrounding Lake Tawakoni, who are charged in this indictment include:

            Crystal Leann Sharkey, aka “Crystal Leann Jordan,” 36

            Michael Paul Watts, 28

            Jason Wayne McClure, 43

            Kellie Lea Locke, 37

            Michael Brandon Powell, 43

            Jody Heather Bausch, aka “Jody Land,” 41

            Scott Ralph Land, 47

            Jeremiah Jason McGregor, aka “Wicked,” 40

            James Earl Goodin, aka “Bo,” 35

            Nicole Joni Culpepper, 27

            Kyle Quincy Ketchum, 30

            Ember Nicole Berg, 33

            Shannon Marie Morgan, 42

            Aaron Dewayne Marrs, 39

            Leslie Irene Cates, 34

 

This just-unsealed indictment charges all of the above-listed defendants, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.  The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation that would require the defendants, upon conviction, to forfeit any property that constitutes or was derived from proceeds traceable to the offense, including multiple firearms.

A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury.  A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.  If convicted, however, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.

 

The investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Texas Department of Public Safety, with assistance from the Henderson County Sheriff, Hunt County Sheriff, Quinlan Police Department, Rockwall County Sheriff, Texas Highway Patrol, and Van Zandt Sheriff.

Assistant U.S. Attorney P. J. Meitl is prosecuting.

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