Ronald Yandell and William Sylvester, both members of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, have been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison. U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller handed down the sentences for murder in aid of racketeering and other RICO-related crimes, as announced by United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
The court documents reveal that between 2011 and 2016, Aryan Brotherhood members were involved in various criminal activities including murder conspiracies and drug trafficking. The trial presented evidence showing that the gang operated a heroin and methamphetamine trafficking network from within California prisons using smuggled cellphones to manage these illegal operations.
In one instance on August 15, 2015, Ronald Yandell ordered the murder of an inmate at CSP-Sacramento. He promised membership in the Aryan Brotherhood to two inmates if they executed the killing successfully. Later intercepted calls by the DEA revealed Yandell boasting about his role in orchestrating this murder.
William Sylvester's case dates back to October 7, 2001, when he murdered another inmate at CSP-Sacramento to gain membership in the Aryan Brotherhood. This attack was premeditated with Sylvester using inmate-made weapons to fatally stab his victim multiple times.
Both men were found guilty along with co-defendant Danny Troxell following a nine-week trial that concluded in April 2024. Troxell's sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
Charges are still pending against Kevin MacNamara of La Palma who remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and several law enforcement bodies under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative which aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening national security.