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The Aryan Circle (AC) is a “whites only” prison-based gang.
Chunn served as vice president of AC’s “federal system” and as a member of its “task force” – a confidential and select group of members “capable of certain acts of violence” that served as AC’s “hit squad“.
Blankenship served as an AC “major“, exercising authority over AC members in the Missouri Department of Corrections and AC’s federal-prisons branch.
AC generally operated according to a “constitution“.
To join, a “prospect” was required to, inter alia, “put in work” by committing violence at the direction of an AC member.
Full members earned the right to wear the AC “patch” – generally a tattoo of a diamond with a swastika on the inside containing a circle with lightning bolts or “AC”.
Prospects were also required to undergo a background check, by which AC obtained and reviewed the prospect’s “paperwork”-usually court documents, presentence investigation reports, or criminal-history checks-to ensure he had not previously cooperated with law enforcement or engaged in other conduct prohibited by AC.
AC did not limit its membership to prisoners.
AC’s “constitution” outlined the history, purpose, “ethics”, beliefs, and bylaws of AC. The document included a description of AC’s rigid ranking system, a system witnesses repeatedly referenced and affirmed.
To join AC, prospective members underwent a period of “prospecting” outlined in the “constitution”, typically lasting one year. The process involved learning about AC, handwriting copies of its “constitution”, and following every order.
In addition to monthly dues, AC required members attend district meetings once a month and ranking members attend a national meeting annually. AC also tracked members through rosters identifying members’ names, institutional affiliations, patch numbers, and release dates.
Substantial evidence supports the finding that AC was an ongoing, formal organization, and its associates functioned as a continuing unit.
Chunn held a high rank in AC; made decisions about when to go to “war” with other prison gangs; ordered attacks on others and sold drugs in prison.
United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jesse Paul Blankenship and William Glenn Chunn, Defendants-Appellants. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. USDC No. 1:20-CR-83-5. Filed February 15, 2024.
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