Lufkin Woman Pleads Guilty to Involvement in Murders

BEAUMONT, TX—A 31-year-old Lufkin woman has pled guilty to charges related to a double homicide which took place in Nacogdoches in August 2007, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

April Flanagan pled guilty to violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, to-wit, conspiracy to murder David Mitchamore, today before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Flanagan also pleaded guilty to acting as an accessory after the fact in the murder of Christy Rochelle Brown.

According to information presented in court, Flanagan had close ties to the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a powerful race-based statewide organization which operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the state of Texas and the United States. The ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects, and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise. Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

It is believed that David Mitchamore, also known as "Super Dave," a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, and his girlfriend, Christie Rochelle Brown, were murdered as a result of a "direct order" by members of the Aryan Brotherhood because of Mitchamore's failure to repay an outstanding debt he allegedly owed to a general in the Aryan Brotherhood. The bodies of Mitchamore and Brown were discovered in Nacogdoches County on August 10, 2007. Flanagan knew of the plan to murder Mitchamore, and provided members of the Aryan Brotherhood with a shotgun and loaned her vehicle to them. Both the shotgun and the vehicle were used during the commission of the murders.

Flanagan faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. Judge Crone will decide on Flanagan's sentence.

U.S. Attorney Bales expressed his appreciation for the hard work performed by so many officers and agents. He also stated, "Today's guilty plea marks another step in achieving justice for the families of David Mitchamore and Christy Brown. It also signals that we are making good on our promise to do everything that is legally possible to dismantle the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a vicious criminal organization."

This case is being investigated by the FBI, the ATF Gang-TECC, the National Gang Intelligence Center, the Nacogdoches Sheriff's Department, the Nacogdoches Police Department, the Angelina County Sheriff's Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Rangers. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the United States Attorney in Lufkin and the Department of Justice Gang Unit, in full cooperation with the Nacogdoches County District Attorney's Office.