MISSISSIPPI
A federal jury convicted two members of the Aryan Circle this week for racketeering — assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury and attempted murder, according to officials.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, William Glenn Chunn, aka Big Head, 39, of Humble, Texas, and Aaron Matthew Rentfrow, aka Mongo, 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, were members of the Aryan Circle, a race-based and violent prison gang with hundreds of members operating throughout the country, both inside and outside of prisons.
The Aryan Circle enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects, and associates through threats, intimidation, and acts of violence, including, but not limited to, acts involving assault and murder. Members are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.
On Aug. 17, 2017, Chunn, one of the nation’s five highest-ranking Aryan Circle leaders, along with other Aryan Circle leaders and Rentfrow, who was an Aryan Circle leader prospect at the time, attacked an inmate at USP Yazoo City, Mississippi, officials stated.
According to evidence presented at trial, Chunn ordered Rentfrow to stab the victim to earn membership into the Aryan Circle through his chain of command.
Chunn ordered the attack because the victim was homosexual. Rentfrow complied with Chunn’s order and committed the attack.
The victim sustained severe injuries from the attack including rib fractures, multiple puncture wounds to his chest, lacerations to his face and head, and a collapsed lung requiring a chest tube.
Rentfrow became a member of the Aryan Circle after this attack.
“Violent crimes committed in our prison systems will be prosecuted, period,” said U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Gangs, such as the Aryan Circle, that prey upon fellow inmates and society have no place in or outside of prisons.”
“Our communities deserve to exist without fear and intimidation inflicted by violent gangs like the Aryan Circle,” said Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Chunn and Rentfrow were convicted of violent crimes in aid of racketeering assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury and violent crimes in aid of racketeering attempted murder.
Chunn and Rentfrow are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 18. Each face up to 20 years in prison.
The ATF, BOP, and DEA investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Lakeita F. Rox-Love and Christina Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael FiggsGanter for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.