Sheriff: Members of Aryan Nations gang charged with attempted murder in beating

Five members of the Aryan Nations gang have been charged with attempted first-degree murder for the severe beating of a 31-year-old Briceville man in Claxton in December, authorities said.

Three of those charged were arrested Tuesday after indictments were returned in the gang-related attempted murder and conspiracy case, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said.

Leonard Lionel Kilgore, 36, of Knoxville, and Jacob Eli Campbell, 33, and Michael James O’Conner Jr., 32, both of Sevierville, were taken into custody Tuesday morning, Sheriff Paul White said.

A fourth person, David Lee Dozard II, 32, of Mountain City in upper East Tennessee, is now in state prison on unrelated charges and the indictments will be served on him later.

A fifth person, Crystal Lynnette McGuire, 37, of Powell, is wanted in connection with the case, the sheriff said.

White said investigators obtained indictments from the Anderson County Grand Jury on the five people after a lengthy investigation into the severe beating of the Briceville man, which resulted in serious injuries. The incident occurred on Dennis Lane in Claxton in December 2013. It was related to internal gang-related enforcement, the sheriff said.

Besides the attempted first-degree murder charge, the five have also been charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, and criminal conspiracy. Bond for all five has been set at $100,000.

McGuire has not been arrested yet, and her whereabouts are unknown, White said. Investigators are trying to locate her. Anyone who has information is asked to call the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department at (865) 457-2414 or their local law enforcement agency. She has been entered into the FBI NCIC as a wanted person.

“These arrests are the result of an investigation which has been ongoing for several months and was a cooperative effort between the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the 7th Judicial District Crime Task Force, which includes officers from the Sheriff’s Department, and the Oak Ridge, Clinton, Lake City, and Oliver Springs Police Departments, as well as the District Attorney General’s Office,” White said. “As a part of this investigation, search warrants were served in both Anderson and Knox Counties.

“The District Attorney General’s Office will be seeking enhanced penalties in this case as the offenders are members of a criminal gang.”

He said the arrests occurred in Anderson, Knox, and Sevier counties, and investigators were assisted by the Knox County and Sevier County Sheriff’s Departments.

“Our thanks to these agencies for their help,” White said.

He said no additional information on this case can be released at this time.