The Underworld Podcast: America's Most Dangerous Prison Gang – The Aryan Brotherhood

Release Date: January 28, 2025

Overview

In this gripping episode of The Underworld Podcast, journalists Danny Gold and Sean Williams delve deep into the sinister world of the Aryan Brotherhood (AB), America’s most formidable and dangerous prison gang. From its inception in the 1960s to its expansive criminal empire today, the episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the AB’s origins, operations, key figures, and the relentless efforts by law enforcement to dismantle its influence both inside and outside prison walls.

1. Origins and Formation of the Aryan Brotherhood

The episode traces the Aryan Brotherhood’s roots back to 1964 within the notoriously violent San Quentin Prison in California. Amid the height of the civil rights movement, racial tensions within the prison led to the formation of racially exclusive gangs. The Black Gorilla Family emerged among black inmates, while the Diamond Tooth Gang, characterized by members with glass fragments embedded in their teeth, formed among white inmates.

Danny Gold [10:02]: "It started as a white self-defense group in a single penitentiary and evolved into a gigantic criminal syndicate across the country."

These early gangs laid the foundation for what would become the Aryan Brotherhood, a group that initially emphasized white supremacy but gradually shifted its focus towards power and profit.

2. Key Figures: Barry "The Baron" Mills and TD "The Hulk" Bingham

Central to the AB’s rise are two pivotal figures: Barry "The Baron" Mills and TD "The Hulk" Bingham. Mills, first arrested at 19 for stealing a car, and Bingham, known for his immense physical prowess and frequent violent outbursts, became the de facto leaders of the AB.

Sean Williams [22:59]: "Barry Mills lives like he's some kind of godfather figure, which really impacted the gang's operations."

Their leadership styles—Mills’s strategic mindset and Bingham’s brute force—complemented each other, allowing the AB to expand its influence both within the prison system and in the outside criminal world.

3. Structure and Operations of the Aryan Brotherhood

Despite its relatively small official membership of around 100 to 150 full-fledged members, the AB exerts control over thousands of associates, colloquially known as "peckerwoods." The organization operates with a highly structured hierarchy, including a ruling council and a commission, modeled loosely after the Italian Mafia.

Danny Gold [11:36]: "They established a council of 12 members to manage the brand, with a commission overseeing the council, ensuring centralized decision-making."

The Brotherhood is notorious for its efficiency and brutality, responsible for approximately 18% of murders within the prison system. Their operations span drug trafficking, gambling, extortion, murder-for-hire, and more, both inside prisons and on the streets.

4. Expansion and Criminal Activities

By the early 1980s, the Aryan Brotherhood had expanded beyond California into states like Texas, Illinois, Kansas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Their strategic approach involved overt and terrorizing actions to assert dominance, such as public killings of guards and inmates to instill fear.

Danny Gold [20:14]: "In 1983, the AB committed one of their most infamous acts: the stabbing of a guard 40 times at Marion Federal Prison."

Their influence extended beyond prison walls, establishing a robust presence in the outside criminal underworld. The AB became heavily involved in drug trafficking, especially methamphetamine, and operated extensive gambling networks within prisons.

5. Leadership Changes and Internal Struggles

As the AB grew, internal conflicts emerged, particularly regarding the balance between maintaining racial ideologies and pursuing power and profit. Figures like Michael Thompson, a towering former football star, rose quickly within the ranks due to their physical capabilities but often clashed with the gang’s ruthless policies.

Danny Gold [28:08]: "Thompson was against killing people on the outside who weren't involved, leading to his defection and testimony against the AB."

Such internal disputes occasionally led to defections and crackdowns, as the Brotherhood sought to maintain strict control and eliminate dissent within its ranks.

6. Law Enforcement Crackdowns and RICO Indictments

Persistent efforts by law enforcement culminated in a massive RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) indictment in December 2002. This operation targeted 29 AB inmates and associates, including top leaders Mills and Bingham, charging them with 32 murders and multiple other violent crimes.

Danny Gold [39:27]: "The RICO trial in 2006 resulted in 30 convictions, but the jury was deadlocked on imposing the death penalty, undermining the prosecution’s efforts to dismantle the AB."

Despite these legal actions, the AB continued to adapt, finding new ways to communicate and expand its operations. The introduction of supermax prisons like ADX Florence aimed to isolate top AB leaders, but the gang’s resilience ensured their persistence.

7. Current Status and Legacy

As of 2025, the Aryan Brotherhood remains a powerful and pervasive force within the U.S. prison system and the broader criminal landscape. Leadership figures like TD Bingham continue to exert influence from behind bars, while new members and associates perpetuate the gang’s criminal endeavors.

Sean Williams [42:15]: "The AB continues to expand its reign of terror, involved in everything from violent crimes to sophisticated fraud operations."

Despite ongoing law enforcement challenges, the AB’s legacy of violence and organizational prowess makes it a lasting threat, with authorities continually striving to curb its influence.

Conclusion

The Underworld Podcast offers a detailed and harrowing account of the Aryan Brotherhood, shedding light on its origins, structure, and the relentless pursuit by law enforcement to bring it down. Through expert analysis and compelling narratives, Danny Gold and Sean Williams provide listeners with an in-depth understanding of one of America’s most dangerous prison gangs, highlighting the complexities and brutal realities of organized crime within the prison system.

Notable Quotes

• Danny Gold [10:02]: "It started as a white self-defense group in a single penitentiary and evolved into a gigantic criminal syndicate across the country."

• Sean Williams [22:59]: "Barry Mills lives like he's some kind of godfather figure, which really impacted the gang's operations."

• Danny Gold [20:14]: "In 1983, the AB committed one of their most infamous acts: the stabbing of a guard 40 times at Marion Federal Prison."

• Danny Gold [28:08]: "Thompson was against killing people on the outside who weren't involved, leading to his defection and testimony against the AB."

• Danny Gold [39:27]: "The RICO trial in 2006 resulted in 30 convictions, but the jury was deadlocked on imposing the death penalty, undermining the prosecution’s efforts to dismantle the AB."

• Sean Williams [42:15]: "The AB continues to expand its reign of terror, involved in everything from violent crimes to sophisticated fraud operations."

Further Resources

For those interested in exploring more about the Aryan Brotherhood and other organized crime groups, consider the following recommendations:

• Books: "Inside Organized Crime" by various authors provides comprehensive coverage on prison gangs.

• Documentaries: Inside the Aryan Brotherhood offers a visual exploration of the gang's operations.

• Additional Episodes: Stay tuned to The Underworld Podcast for more in-depth analyses of global criminal networks.