Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

FARGO – Interim United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that on April 12, 2022, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter D. Welte sentenced Abbot William Aho, a/k/a Boogie, age 26, Fergus Falls, MN, to 25 years in federal prison for 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. Chief Judge Welte also sentenced Aho to 5 years supervised release and 1,773.23 in restitution.

It is alleged that from January 2019 through May 2019, Abbot Aho, led a criminal gang known as the "Slither Gang," and conspired with other individuals to target robbery victims who were themselves alleged drug traffickers in North Dakota, Minnesota, and elsewhere. Aho 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. Aho 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.

In addition to numerous similar related federal prosecutions across the state as a part of this initiative, several of Aho’s co-conspirators have also 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.
• Josiah Thomas Aguilar, age 21, Dilworth, MN: Sentenced on December 13, 2021, to 100 months in federal prison and 3 years supervised release 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.

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

######