Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

FARGO - Acting United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that on December 13, 2021, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter D. Welte sentenced Josiah Thomas Aguilar, age 21, Dilworth, MN, to 100 months in federal prison for two counts of Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery; Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances; and Aiding and Abetting. Chief Judge Welte also sentenced Aguilar to 3 years supervised release and a $400 Special Assessment.

It is alleged that from January 2019 through May 2019, Abbot Aho, led a criminal gang known as the "Slither Gang," members of which conspired with Aho and other individuals to target robbery victims who were themselves alleged drug traffickers in North Dakota, Minnesota, and elsewhere. Aguilar and the co-conspirator gang members carried out a string of robberies by threats of violence, the infliction of violence, and the brandishing of firearms and other dangerous weapons. Aguilar and the co-conspirators often resorted to home invasions or setting up victims to meet at a public place, and then robbed them of drugs, money, firearms and personal property, later selling the drugs they stole.

"The defendants engaged in a string of vicious and violent attacks, including multiple armed robberies" said Acting US Attorney Nicholas W. Chase, and "The US Attorney’s Office is committed to targeting these most violent offenders for federal prosecution and we commend the outstanding work of the Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and our local and state law enforcement partners for their steadfast commitment to identifying and investigating prolific violent criminal organizations, enforcing the law, and protecting our communities from acts of violence."

"ATF is committed to working with our local, state and federal partners to remove violent offenders from our communities, regardless of who the offenders target in their crimes," said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division. "The acts these individuals committed were dangerous and could have easily caused injury or death to innocent bystanders. We simply cannot allow illegal guns, drugs, and armed violent gang members to plague our neighborhoods. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in their successful prosecutions which disrupted and dismantled this criminal enterprise."

In addition to numerous similar though unrelated federal prosecutions across the state as a part of this initiative, several of Aguilar’s co-conspirators have also been indicted in North Dakota and are awaiting trial and/or have been sentenced for their involvement in the violent robberies:

• Cory Carlson, age 24, Robbinsdale, MN: Sentenced on December 9, 2021, to 100 months in federal prison and 3 years supervised release for the charges of Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery and Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
• Sarah Ann Carlson, age 21, Minneapolis, MN: Sentenced on July 19, 2021, to 80 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for the charges of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery; Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery; Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and Aiding and Abetting.
• Jared Christopher Kaul, age 21, Fridley, MN: Sentenced on December 8, 2021, to 32 months in federal prison and 3 years supervised release for the charges of Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Nicholas Dakota May, age 22, Fargo ND: Sentenced on November 23, 2021 to 28 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for the charges of Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances.
• Shelby Lynn Dallman, age 23, Faribault, MN: Sentenced on August 23, 2021 to 24 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for the charge of Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery.
• Abbot William Aho, a/k/a Boogie, age 26, Fergus Falls, MN: Indicted on the charges of Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery; Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery; Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances; and Aiding and Abetting. Mr. Aho is pending trial; Grand Jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Mr. Aho is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Fergus Falls MN Police Department; and the Ottertail County Attorney’s Office, and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Chris C. Myers assigned to the case.

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