Three bigwigs of the Aryan Brotherhood have been sentenced to federal prison terms by a judge on Monday. This clears the path for their transfer from California lockups, where they managed murders and racketeering schemes, to the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The sentences handed down don’t necessarily guarantee that the men will serve their time in the stricter federal prison system. However, prosecutors involved in the case have suggested that such transfers are “likely.” Evidence brought forth during the trial revealed that the three long-time inmates took advantage of the California prison system’s inability to root out contraband phones.
The Aryan Brotherhood, which is the predominant criminal organization among white inmates in the California prison system, has been a target for federal prosecutors in Sacramento and Fresno over the past six years. Kenneth Johnson, 64, and Francis Clement, 58, who are leaders of the group, were sentenced to life terms in federal prison for murder and racketeering. Another member, John Stinson, 70, received a 20-year federal prison sentence. Interestingly, Stinson had already received a federal life term in 2007 but was sent back to state prison instead of being transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at the time. Johnson, Clement, and Stinson were known to coordinate murders, drug sales, fraud, and extortion both inside and outside prison walls, often utilizing smuggled phones for their criminal activities.
Johnson and Clement were serving life sentences in California’s state prison system prior to their federal sentencing. Johnson’s conviction dates back to 1996 when he attempted to murder a Madera County sheriff’s deputy. On the other hand, Clement has been incarcerated for a murder he committed on his 18th birthday, where he slit his friend’s throat during a trip to Las Vegas. Following their recent trial in Fresno, all three defendants were found guilty of racketeering. Johnson and Clement were also convicted of commissioning murders on the streets of Los Angeles County. The judge overseeing the case ordered the men back to state prison after the trial to await their sentencing.
Lawyers representing Johnson and Clement requested a delay in their sentencing, citing a threat of “assault and/or murder” that was allegedly directed towards the two following the trial. The defense argued that this threat could be grounds for a new trial and asked for more time to investigate. Prosecutors, however, believed that the delay was simply an attempt by Johnson and Clement to postpone their inevitable transfer to federal prison. In a sentencing memo, prosecutors described federal prison as a fitting place for individuals like Clement, who exhibited a “complete disregard for human life” in his criminal actions. Despite the lack of repercussions for guards involved in smuggling phones or colluding with gang leaders, the defense pointed out that millions of taxpayer dollars were being spent on imposing additional life sentences on elderly prisoners without addressing necessary institutional changes in California’s prisons.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has already taken custody of five Aryan Brotherhood members convicted of murder and racketeering in 2024, who are now serving life terms in federal penitentiaries in California. Prosecutors anticipate that Johnson, Clement, and Stinson are also headed for federal prison. The lack of accountability for guards involved in criminal activities within the prison system raises questions about the effectiveness of the current system in deterring criminal behavior and ensuring the safety of inmates and staff.
