Opening statements occurred Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in the somewhat big Fresno Aryan Brotherhood RICO trial. The term somewhat big is used because the gallery is almost empty despite the significance of the trial. Long-time AB members Francis “Frank” Clement, Kenneth “Kenwood” Johnson, and John “Pops” Stinson are on trial for racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, and fraud charges.

The Government revealed new details about three homicides. And Brandon “Bam Bam” Bannick’s name came up a lot. Let’s recap.

Government
Assistant United States Attorney James Conolly got first honors and dove right in.

“This is a case about a violent California prison gang, the Aryan Brotherhood, also known as The Brand. It’s a case about a long series of crimes that these defendants directed and committed as part of the Aryan Brotherhood enterprise: murders, drug trafficking, robberies, and fraud.”

Conolly noted that the three defendants were incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) when these crimes allegedly occurred. However, that did not stop them from ordering crimes on the streets of California.

“Johnson, Clement, and Stinson directed these crimes from prison. The violence—the murders—is what gives the defendants power in the AB. Without the AB’s reputation for violence, the defendants would not have had nearly the success that they had.”

All three defendants are charged with racketeering and money-making crimes (e.g., fraud). Conolly told the jury that Johnson and Clement are charged with murder, while Stinson is not. Conolly provided new details about the murders.

Frank Clement allegedly ordered the murders of Ronald Ennis and James Yagle in Pomona. The murders occurred on March 8, 2022, and were allegedly carried out by Brandon “Bam Bam” Bannick and Evan “Soldier” Perkins who drove the victims to a “side road” and shot them to death. The reason? Ennis and Yagle didn’t follow orders. All four men were Public Enemy Number 1 members.

Clement also allegedly ordered the murder of Michael Brizendine in Lancaster. Conolly told the jury Brizendine had been tasked with robbing a house in Hollywood. Brizendine “messed up the orders” by kicking in the door, which set off the alarm. As a result, James “Suspect” Field allegedly murdered Brizendine on February 22, 2022.

If that wasn’t enough, Clement and Johnson allegedly ordered the October 2020 murders of Allan Roshanski and Ruslan Magomedgadzhiev. Conolly told the jury Roshanski owed money to someone connected to the Aryan Brotherhood and a meeting was arranged in Lomita. Roshanski decided to bring his friend Magomedgadzhiev to the meeting, which was held October 4. Justin “Sidetrack” Gray allegedly shot both men to death in the presence of Bannick.

“Every time the AB sheds blood, it enforces its violent reputation,” Conolly told the jury. “The AB will hunt down and kill anyone who challenges its authority.”

Conolly told the jury to expect to hear testimony from former members and associates, and see cell phone evidence, seized drugs, and hear wire taps. Conolly offered his summation of the case.

“Power. Money. Control.”

John Stinson
John Stinson’s attorney, Kenneth Reed, elected to reserve his opening statement until later in the trial.

Frank Clement
Jean Barrett, one of Frank Clement’s two New York attorneys, took aim at the Government’s plans to use dropouts-turned-cooperating witnesses.

“Every one of the prosecution’s witnesses who accused Frank Clement in this case is a convicted felon,” Barrett told the jury. “They are all convicted criminals, and they are all hoping to improve their lives from their testimony. Some of them have already been rewarded.”

Barrett noted that the “Lomita killer” is currently walking the streets because the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office dropped murder charges. Barrett was referring to Brandon Bannick, who is currently out of custody. The alleged actual Lomita Killer, Justin “Sidetrack” Gray, is said to be in custody, although it’s not clear where, as he does not show up in Fresno County Jail or CDCR.

Barrett also told the jury that two other cooperators could have their sentences cut in half.

(Update: Brandon Bannick was not on the streets circa January 2025, as he testified on February 4, 2025, in the custody of the United States Marshals.)

Kenneth Johnson
But the best was saved for last. Kenneth “Kenwood” Johnson’s attorney, Ryan Villa of Albuquerque, picked up where Barrett left off and then added a whole lot more.

“I’m not here to tell you he’s an angel or that he hasn’t committed the crimes for which he was put in prison. But he’s not guilty of the crimes for which he’s charged.”

Villa noted that the cooperating witnesses committed murder and fraud.

“They are essentially incentivized to lie.”

Villa told the jury the Lomita double murder occurred while Johnson was incarcerated in CDCR. No “uncompromised witnesses” “heard Kenny give the order,” Villa said.

Instead, the information about Johnson’s alleged involvement came from Robert “Rage” Eversole, a “career criminal” and an “incentivized witness,” Villa explained. Villa said lead prosecutor Stephanie Stokman coaxed Eversole to finger Kenwood over the course of a “series of statements.”

“And that was the first time that Robert Eversole said that Kenny had anything to do with the Lomita homicides.”

Villa told the jury Eversole has been “in and out of prison” throughout his adult life and has been involved with drug, firearms, and fraud-related crimes. Eversole began cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in November 2020 after his daughter’s baby daddy got busted selling a firearm to an undercover agent. At the time, Eversole was in state prison and had “three years to the gate.” Hence, he cut a deal with the feds to provide information about the Fresno AB case in exchange for leniency for his family members.

Villa named names. Eversole’s daughter—Callie Eversole—had a felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor at Rage’s request so she could remain in Section 8 housing. Villa noted felons are prohibited from Section 8. Villa also noted that Eversole’s two stepdaughters Karrie and Katie Gunter had their charges dismissed at his request.

Perhaps Villa’s biggest revelation was that Brandon “Bam Bam” Bannick will testify as a defense witness for Kenwood Johnson. Villa predicted Bam Bam will not implicate Johnson in the Lomita murders.

Lastly, Villa told the jury that Thrasher Holmeyer will testify about the murder of his cellmate Brandon Lowery at Kern Valley State Prison in January 2016. The Government alleges Lowery was murdered at the direction of Clement and Johnson because he incurred a large drug debt. Villa told the jury he expects Holmeyer will testify that the homicide was over “personal beef”, and it was a cell fight that “got out of control.”

Odds and Ends
ATF is the lead investigating agency. Special Agent Anthony Gonzalez is the Case Agent.

Kenneth Johnson’s defense witness list includes Robert Ayers, a long-time retired CDCR veteran, including stints as warden at Pelican Bay, New Folsom, and San Quentin. Ayers has appeared on various TV shows including Lockup Raw and podcasts including The Gray Line the Story Behind the Blue Line.