Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

FARGO - United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Abbot William Aho, a/k/a Boogie, age 26, Fergus Falls, MN, for Conspiracy to commit Robbery; Robbery; Use of a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Distribution of a Controlled Substances; Continuing Criminal Enterprise; and Aiding and Abetting.

The Indictment was unsealed today, and alleges 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. The Indictment further alleges that Abbot 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. Abbot 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.

"While the victims in this string of violent attacks and robberies were often criminals themselves, this law enforcement initiative is a critically important component of our push to identify, prosecute and incarcerate the most violent criminals operating in North Dakota and the region," said United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, "and we are dramatically increasing federal robbery prosecutions as a result of these focused efforts."

In addition to numerous similar though unrelated federal prosecutions across the state as a part of this initiative, several of Aho’s co-conspirators have also been indicted in North Dakota and are awaiting trial:

• Sarah Ann Carlson, age 21, Minneapolis, MN: Indicted on 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: Indicted on 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
• Josiah Thomas Aguilar, age 21, Dilworth, MN: Indicted on 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; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances; and Aiding and Abetting

Grand jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt 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 States 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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