Two area men, allegedly members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT), were indicted July 21 for their roles in a 2008 Liberty County murder.

Steven Walter Cooke, 43, of Tomball and David Jason Michels, 28, of Magnolia, were charged by a federal grand jury with violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity. The activities include murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas.

Scott Freeman, a.k.a. “Arizona” or “AZ”, 37, of Livingston, was murdered Oct. 12, 2008 in Liberty County.

Michels, left, and Cooke, right

The indictment alleges that Cooke and Michels killed Freeman due to his alleged involvement and recruitment efforts for a competing ABT faction and in an attempt to maintain and increase their own positions within the organization.

The ABT is a race-based, state-wide organization established in the early 1980’s that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the U.S. It was modeled after a California-based prison gang from the 1960’s, according to the indictment.

ABT leaders enforce the group’s rules and promote discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, violence, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization, the release stated.

Cooke and Michels appeared before U.S. Judge Keith Giblin on Aug. 18 for their initial court appearance.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas – Lufkin Office, the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office and is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Police Department.

If convicted, they could face up to life in prison or the death penalty.

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