Associate of Violent White Supremacist Gang Pleads Guilty to Federal Kidnapping Charge

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Beau Cook, 32, an associate of a white supremacist gang known as the 1488s, has pleaded guilty to a federal kidnapping charge arising from the August 2017 beating, kidnapping, and murder of Michael Staton, aka “Steak Knife.”  

In March 2019, Cook, along with other 1488s members and associates including Filthy Fuhrer, (formerly Timothy Lobdell), Roy Naughton, Glen Baldwin, Craig King, and Colter O’Dell, was charged with murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit assault and kidnapping in aid of racketeering.  Two other key members, Nicholas M. Kozorra and Dustin J. Clowers, previously pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering.  

According to the plea agreement, on Aug. 3, 2017, Cook was instructed to prepare a room inside a Wasilla duplex where Staton, a known member of the 1488s, would be assaulted.  Cook prepared one of the bedrooms by lining it with plastic on the floor and partway up the walls to conceal evidence of the beating that was expected to occur.  Staton was brought to the duplex, already beaten and his hands bound, and was brought into the prepared room where he was further beaten by several 1488s members and associates.  A large knife was then heated up using a blowtorch, which was used to burn off Staton’s 1488 membership tattoo.  Cook was present in the room and witnessed the beating and patch burning of Staton.  After the beating and depatching, Staton was still alive and was rolled up in the plastic and the carpet from the bedroom.  Cook helped load Staton into the back of vehicle, in which Staton was driven away.  Cook later cleaned up the area where Staton had been beaten and was given a shot of heroin as compensation for his role.

Cook faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, on the kidnapping charge.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The FBI and AST Alaska Bureau of Investigation Special Crimes Investigation Unit and Technical Crimes Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) Mat-Su Drug Unit, AST ‘B’ Detachment Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Suppression Unit, and AST’s participation in the Task Force Officer program led the investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Taylor and James Klugman of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Chad McHenry of Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS).