California men sentenced to life for Aryan Brotherhood racketeering murders

SACRAMENTO, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) — Ronald Yandell, 62, of Pinole, and William Sylvester, 56, of Norco, have been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for murder in aid of racketeering and other RICO-related crimes. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller, according to United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

Between 2011 and 2016, Aryan Brotherhood members and associates were involved in racketeering activities, including murder, murder conspiracies, and drug trafficking, according to court documents. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Aryan Brotherhood members managed a significant heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation from California prison cells using smuggled cellphones to direct drug trafficking activities, order murders, and oversee other criminal activities inside and outside of the prisons.

On August 15, 2015, Yandell ordered the murder of an inmate at CSP-Sacramento, offering the perpetrators membership in the Aryan Brotherhood if they succeeded. A year later, DEA intercepted calls made by Yandell over a contraband cellphone in which he boasted about directing the murder and sponsoring the killers for gang membership. Yandell also directed that money from Aryan Brotherhood criminal activities be used to support the murderers.

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