That case at the federal courthouse in Houston is against 34 members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT). Though there has been no evidence tying the gang to the Kaufman County murders, we are told the federal prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman, has withdrawn citing security reasons.
It was a proud moment for the U.S. Department of Justice last November. Former Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer even flew in for the big announcement.
"Today's indictment represents, ladies and gentlemen, a devastating blow to the leadership of ABT," Breuer said in November.
Thirty-four members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a whites-only prison gang, were indicted in a large racketeering operation that included kidnapping, drug dealing and murder.
Defense attorney Richard Ely represents one of them.
"We pled guilty. We were, I think, the first case to plead guilty," Ely said.
Sentencing for his client James Meldrum is set for May at the federal courthouse. But on Tuesday, he got news of another development.
"The assistant U.S. attorney who was originally assigned to the case, Mr. Jay Hileman, sent an email to all counsel stating that he was withdrawing from the case," Ely said.
Hileman is leaving the prosecution. Ely says he cited security reasons.
"I understand why someone would want to step back and it makes sense to me, especially people who have families," Ely said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office would not comment beyond saying the case is still being worked "in partnership with the Department of Justice's Criminal Justice Division. But authorities did paint a ruthless picture the day the indictment was unsealed.
"Brutal beatings, fire bombings, drug trafficking and murder are all part of ABT's alleged standard operating procedure," Breuer then said.
Ely says another federal prosecutor will be assigned to the case and he doesn't expect the changes to delay any court proceedings.
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