FORT WORTH, Texas — Seven defendants, including members and associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas prison gang, who were convicted in September 2016 following a four-day jury trial for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in north Texas from approximately January 2014 to April 2016 were sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge John McBryde. U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas made today’s announcement.

Each of the below-listed defendants was convicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and received the following federal prison sentences:

Charles Ben Bounds, a/k/a “Pretty Boy,” 31, of Fort Worth, Texas, 360 months

Billy Fred Gentry, a/k/a “Fred Gentry,” 30, of Fort Worth, Texas, 360 months

Kevin Kyle Killough, a/k/a “Kilo,” 29, of Fort Worth, Texas, LIFE

Billy Ray Skaggs, 48, of Brownwood, Texas, 300 months

Michael Clay Heaslet, a/k/a “Whisper,” 38, of Fort Worth, Texas, LIFE

Nicole Cynthia Herrera, a/k/a “Nikki Single,” 21, of Dallas, Texas, 300 months

Trae Short, a/k/a “Twig,” 31, of Dallas, Texas, LIFE

The government presented evidence at trial that some of the defendants were members, including ranking members, or associates, of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. The government presented further evidence identifying the defendants and the role of each in the conspiracy. Many of the defendants had numerous prior convictions.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Fort Worth Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn Smith and Frank Gatto prosecuted the case.

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