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Date: 09-27-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 4:17-cr-00293-BSM
Judge: Brian S. Miller
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Pulaski County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Little Rock, AR: Criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with racketeering.
Marcus Millsap, 54, of Little Rock, was indicted in September 2019 for his involvement in a white supremacist prison gang known as the “New Aryan Empire,” or NAE. NAE’s slogan is “to the dirt,” referring to the fact that members must remain in the organization until they die. Millsap was charged with, and ultimately convicted of, conspiracy to violate racketeering influenced corrupt organization laws, or RICO, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and drug conspiracy. Evidence at trial established that Millsap and others used the NAE as a corrupt organization to conduct racketeering activities including drug distribution, solicitations of murder, and attempted murder.
At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that in May 2014, Millsap sold methamphetamine to an individual named Bruce Hurley, who was working as a confidential informant. Once Hurley completed the controlled purchase of methamphetamine and reported back to law enforcement, a traffic stop located more methamphetamine in Millsap’s vehicle. Millsap was convicted in the methamphetamine case, and while on an appeal bond, Millsap solicited members and associates of NAE to kill Hurley for his work in cooperating with law enforcement against Millsap. In January 2016, other NAE members attempted to murder Hurley. That attempt failed, and NAE members and associates continued attempting to arrange Hurley’s death. This conduct resulted in Millsap’s conviction Friday for attempted murder in aid of racketeering.
Another 54 defendants were indicted in the case, all of whom have pleaded guilty except for Millsap and Troy Loadholt, who is currently a fugitive. While some defendants are still awaiting sentencing, the highest sentence so far has been given to Wesley Gullett, who was the President of the New Aryan Empire. Gullett was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment.
“The United States will not tolerate the vile and outrageous crimes committed by members and associates of the New Aryan Empire or any other white supremacist group,” said Jonathan D. Ross, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “If you are a member or associate of this or any other violent criminal organization, know that the United States will stop at nothing to dismantle and disrupt those who pose a threat to our communities and the future of our children.”
The statutory penalty for conspiracy to violate racketeering laws is up to life imprisonment. The statutory penalty for attempted murder in aid of racketeering is up to 10 years imprisonment. The statutory penalty for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, based on the amount of methamphetamine involved in the case, is a minimum of 15 years and up to life imprisonment.
The investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Pope County Sheriff’s Office; the Russellville Police Department; the U.S. Marshals Service; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Arkansas State Police; 5th Judicial Drug Task Force; the Conway Police Department, and the Arkansas Army National Guard’s Counterdrug Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Liza Brown and Stephanie Mazzanti.
Outcome: 09/24/2021 2259 (This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no pdf document associated with this entry.) CLERK'S MINUTES for proceedings held before Judge Brian S. Miller: Jury trial continued (Day 14) as to Marcus O Millsap on 9/24/2021; jury deliberates; jury verdict returned at 3:23 p.m.; defendant found guilty on all counts; jury released. (AUSA: Stephanie Mazzanti and Liza Brown; Defense: Tre Kitchens and Lee Curry; Court Reporter: Valarie Flora.) (ljb) (Entered: 09/24/2021)
09/24/2021 2260 COURT'S WITNESS LIST as to Marcus O Millsap. (ljb) (Entered: 09/24/2021)
09/24/2021 2261 COURT'S EXHIBIT LIST as to Marcus O Millsap. (ljb) (Entered: 09/24/2021)
09/24/2021 2262 Jury Instructions as to Marcus O Millsap. (ljb) (Entered: 09/24/2021)
09/24/2021 2263 Jury Notes as to Marcus O Millsap. (ljb) (Entered: 09/24/2021)
09/24/2021 2264 JURY VERDICT as to Marcus O Millsap (45) Guilty on Counts 1, 2, and 10 of the Second Superseding Indictment. (ljb) (Entered: 09/24/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: