Gangs in mid-Missouri prisons continue to be a growing problem
Gangs in mid-Missouri prisons and across the state are continuing to be a growing problem.
Earlier this week, ABC 17 News reported on Joseph Frasher after he was arrested for domestic assault, among other charges. According to court documents ABC 17 News obtained, Frasher has ties to a statewide gang called Family Values.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, gangs and gangs with white supremacist leanings are a growing problem in Missouri prisons.
Regional director Karen Aroesty has been following Family Values, and other gang groups for several years and says, “Family values is part of a larger issue that we’re watching, prison based activities that is gang related, moving out of prisons and returning to the streets.”
Aroesty says the five main groups that have white supremacist ties are: Sacred Separatist Group, Joplin Honkies, Peckerwood Midwest, Family Values, and Aryan Circle.
“The name Family Values has been misused here, it makes people think that the name has good connections to it, but when you really do your research you realize that’s not who they are, you are not supporting something positive,” Aroesty said.
Lt. Clay Chism with the Callaway County Sheriff’s Department says the gang is well known to law enforcement, but as far as criminal activity, there hasn’t been a lot of gang related crimes come from the group.
Aroesty says the big picture is that gang members in Missouri prisons are getting radicalized, and could continue to carry out hate crimes when they are released from prison.
