Armenian Gang Members Sentenced For Running Identity Theft Ring From Prison

SANTA ANA (AP) — Federal prosecutors say two men who orchestrated an elaborate identity theft ring from behind bars will each stay there to serve new 25-year sentences.

U.S. attorney spokesman Thom Mrozek says 36-year-old Angus Brown, known as "Homicide," and 33-year-old Arman Sharopetrosian, known as "Horse," were sentenced Wednesday by a federal judge.

Along with 18 others, they faced prosecution for using cellphones smuggled into Avenal State Prison to command the Armenian Power gang in a scheme to obtain Social Security numbers and other personal information. They stole millions of dollars from hundreds of people.

Brown had numerous priors, including identity theft, at the time of the most recent conviction. Sharopetrosian was serving a 10-year sentence for shooting at an occupied vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.

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