Lufkin Woman Sentenced for Involvement in Murders

BEAUMONT, TX—A 31-year-old Lufkin woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a double homicide which took place in Nacogdoches in August, 2007, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

April Flanagan pleaded guilty on Nov. 29, 2010, to violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, to-wit, conspiracy to murder David Mitchamore, and to acting as an accessory after the fact in the murder of Christy Rochelle Brown. Today, she was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to information presented in court, Flanagan had close ties to the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a race-based, state-wide organization which operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons that are located 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, as well as ABT associates and prospects, are required to follow, without question, the orders of higher-ranking members. These so-called “direct orders” typically task the ABT member or associate to “discipline” the offending individual with some sort of physical force.

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 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 and approved of the plan to murder Mitchamore, and provided members of the Aryan Brotherhood with the shotgun used to murder Mitchamore and Brown. She also loaned her vehicle to them for use during the commission of the murders.

U.S. Attorney Bales expressed his appreciation for the hard work performed by so many officers and agents. He also stated, “Today’s sentencing is a bittersweet moment. It marks another significant step in achieving justice for the families of David Mitchamore and Christy Brown. It also signals that we continue to make good on our promise to do everything that is legally possible to dismantle the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a vicious criminal organization. Nevertheless, we are mindful that a prosecution alone cannot erase the profound sense of loss felt by the families of the victims.”

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.