Leader of prison gang sentenced

The leader of a violent prison gang was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to corrupting prison guards, distributing drugs and orchestrating violent attacks on fellow inmates to enhance his position with the gang.

Daniel Joseph Egan, 33, is one of 13 Aryan Warriors indicted last year in connection with the string of crimes, most of which were committed inside the High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs.

U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson sentenced Egan, who is also known as "Dano," to 200 months in prison and six years of supervised release.

The Aryan Warriors gang is made up solely of white members. They were accused of operating illegal gambling rings; extorting money through individuals, violence and threats; and assaulting fellow inmates.

Two other gang members also pleaded guilty and have yet to be sentenced. Ten members await trial.

The indictment says Egan ordered an October 2004 attack on Mark Fechtman, a rival gang member at High Desert, who was slashed multiple times with a razor-like blade. It also said Egan ordered a 2005 attack on inmate Cody Dunn, who was stabbed 16 times.

Egan spent eight years in the prison system for possessing and distributing drugs. He was released two years ago, but quickly found himself in trouble again. In July 2006, Egan was arrested on charges of domestic battery and drug possession.

Two months later, Egan was arrested for attempting to break into a car at Sam's Town. The Metropolitan Police Department found a Glock 9 mm handgun and brass knuckles in Egan's car, according to the arrest report. In September 2006, he was again arrested on existing warrants. In May 2007, Boulder City police arrested Egan for possession of drugs and a dangerous weapon.