LOUISIANA
A senior leader of the Aryan Circle and a subordinate gang member plead guilty this week to being an accessory-after-the-fact to racketeering murder, according to officials.
David Wayne Williams, 38, of Sulphur, Louisiana, a senior leader in the gang, and Leland Hamm, 43, of Tulsa, Oklahoma plead guilty in federal court to being accessories-after-the-fact in the violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder of Clifton Hallmark, 51.
Williams also pleaded guilty to narcotics trafficking and weapons possession.
On July 25, Richard Alan Smith, 47, of Little Rock, Arkansas, also pleaded guilty to the accessory-after-the-fact charge in the racketeering murder of Clifton Hallmark.
According to the plea agreements, the Aryan Circle is a powerful race-based, multi-state organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas, Louisiana, and the United States.
The Aryan Circle was established in the mid-1980s within the Texas prison system. Recently, the Aryan Circle’s structure and influence expanded to rural and suburban areas throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri.
The Aryan Circle emerged as an independent organization during a period of turmoil within the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.
The Aryan Circle was relatively small in comparison to other prison-based gangs, but grew in stature and influence within TDCJ in the 1990s, largely through violent conflict with other gangs, white and non-white alike.
The plea agreements further state that the Aryan Circle enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization.
Members, and oftentimes, associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.
By pleading guilty to the accessory charge, Williams, Hamm, and Smith admitted to being members of the AC criminal enterprise.
Williams admitted to being a senior leader of the gang.
Sentencing for Williams and Hamm has been scheduled for Nov. 20 and Dec. 13, respectively, before Judge Dee D. Drell. Sentencing for Smith has been scheduled for Nov. 20.