Fresneck gang and its ties to Aryan Brotherhood dismantled in sweep, authorities say

Law enforcement claimed a big victory Friday against a Fresno street gang with alleged ties to everything from gun trafficking to identity theft and kidnapping.

Dozens of arrests were made on Thursday as part of a multi-agency investigation into the Fresneck street gang and its connection to the Aryan Brotherhood and illegal activity within the California prison system.

The investigation, named for the shamrock that is the symbol of the Aryan Brotherhood, started in January and uncovered a multitude of crimes, including the distribution of meth and heroine into Montana and into Idaho.

During a news conference on Friday, representatives from Fresno, state and federal agencies announced that 102 arrests had been made against members of the Aryan Brotherhood and Fresneck gangs. In addition, law enforcement seized 47 firearms, 89 pounds of methamphetamine, 5.6 pounds of heroin and $136,000 in cash.

Who are the Fresnecks?

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims described the Fresneck gang as “white supremacist” in its philosophy and said its criminal activity is conducted with that in mind.

Fresno police targeted the gang in 2018, making nearly 40 arrests on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery, assault, home invasion and rape. Then-Chief Jerry Dyer said at the time that the gang had been operating in Fresno for almost two decades, but stayed out of the news by preying on people who were too traumatized to go to police. The gang, Dyer said two years ago, is mostly composed of whites who align with the Aryan Brotherhood and other white supremacy gangs when they are in prison.

McGregor Scott, U.S. Attorney for the District Court for the Eastern District of California, said on Friday that law enforcement found that much of the gang’s activity was being run by inmates inside state prisons using contraband cell phones.

As a result, five inmates were removed from state prisons into federal custody. All were serving lengthy sentences — including two with life sentences for murder.

Gangs dismantled ‘from top to bottom’

As a result of the operation, it was learned that the gang was using money stolen through identity theft to buy guns and drugs and to pay for the bail of gang members. Additionally, the gang was delivering meth and heroin through routes in Montana and into Idaho and funneling that money back into the Fresno area.

“We got up on their phones and listened to the crimes being committed in real time, on their phones,” Scott said.

Through those efforts, law enforcement prevented multiple acts of violence and foiled a plot to smuggle cell phones to prisoners inside a football that could be thrown onto prison grounds.

Investigations are continuing and more arrests are expected, but Operation Lucky Charm already succeeded at its two stated goals, according to Sean Ragan with the FBI.

First, it looked to disrupt criminal activities conducted the gangs.

“And they have done that,” Ragan said.

It was also tasked with dismantling the whole enterprise “from top to bottom.”

“And I believe that we have done that as well,” he said.

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra applauds operation

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra echoed the sentiment during Friday’s announcement. He said these two groups now pose less of a threat to the peace and safety of communities in Fresno County and across the state.

“It’s a great way to get into next week for a lot of families,” he said.

“This Thanksgiving will be a little bit warmer a little closer with family than it could have been.”

Law enforcement agencies staged a similar operation against the MS-13 gang in 2018. The violent gang had been operating in Mendota and rural western Fresno County for years and were allegedly responsible for more than a dozen deaths.

Twenty-five alleged members were arrested.

This story was originally published November 20, 2020 at 12:26 PM.