United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FT. WORTH, Texas - Seven defendants, including members and associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas prison gang 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. In September 2016 they were convicted 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

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 in prison   
Billy Ray Skaggs, 48, of Brownwood, Texas, 300 months   
Michael Clay Heaslet, a/k/a “Whisper,” 38, of Fort Worth, Texas, life in prison  
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 in prison  

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