Two more Aryan Circle members sentenced

MIDLAND – Both protesting their innocence, two more Aryan Circle members were sentenced Tuesday to life in federal prison.

Both Malachi David Wren, 35, and Victor Wesley “Pokey” Tucker, 41, were given life sentences on a charge of “continuing criminal enterprise.”

Kirk Mead, Wren’s attorney, told Judge Rob Junell that he didn’t have much to say.

“I can’t ask for leniency, because I don’t think the court has any discretion on the sentence here,” Mead said.

Both Wren’s and Tucker’s charge carry a mandatory life sentence. Neither are eligible for parole.

“I think I’ve been screwed, your honor,” Wren said. “That’s all I have to say about that.”

Like other Aryan Circle members, both men were brought into the court in beige prisoner’s outfits with their hands and feet shackled. Each was escorted by three U.S. Marshals.

Tucker also told the judge that he was unhappy about the guilty verdict and planned to appeal.

“I’m not guilty is all I have to say,” he said.

Tucker’s attorney, Justin Weatherly, said the trial was a difficult one.

“Even though we’re obviously disappointed with the result, my client was given a fair judge and a fair trial,” Weatherly said. “We’ll still appeal.”

Both men were remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals until the federal Bureau of Prisons decides where they’ll serve their sentences.

As Tucker was being escorted from the courtroom, he shook the prosecutors’ hands, but insulted Odessa police Sgt. Mike Tacker, who was the lead investigator in the case against the Aryan Circle.

“I’ll never shake your hand, Mike Tacker,” Tucker said.

Tacker said he wasn’t bothered by the comment.

“You’re looking at a career criminal who will never be on the streets of Odessa committing crimes,” Tacker said.

In fact, Tacker said he was pleased with the sentences.

“A federal life sentence is just that — life,” he said. “Barring a successful appeal, these boys will spend the rest of their lives in prison.”

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