Judge agrees to early release for former white supremacist

SALT LAKE CITY — A man once imprisoned for making violent threats in an effort to increase his rank in a white supremacist group stood before a federal judge Thursday with a well-paying job, an approved mortgage loan and the commendation of defense and prosecuting attorneys.

Michael Rousey, 44, pleaded guilty in April 2005 to violence in aid of racketeering while associated with the Soldiers of Aryan Culture. He was sentenced to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. Before U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart Thursday, both his attorney John Williams and federal prosecutors asked that Rousey be able to have his supervised release terminated.

The judge said he wasn't inclined to grant the request but wanted to hear the arguments as to why Rousey should walk away with 13 months left in his supervised release term.

"If I wrote down all of the qualities of Mr. Rousey, it would be a three-hour diatribe," Williams said. "I'm asking for this because of who he is today. It's a huge accomplishment. He is a different person than who he was. He has changed his life completely."

According to the indictment, Rousey was involved with the supremacist group, which is known to be hierarchal and run by "lieutenants" and "sergeants" who select who will be invited to join. Potential new members must go through a six- to 12-month probation period in which they "must complete criminal 'missions' to show they are deserving of membership" in the group.

Rousey, indicted under the name John Arthur McGee in December 2003, threatened to assault an unidentified man with a dangerous weapon in January 2000 while in the supremacists' probation stage in an effort to gain access to the group.

Williams said it was the first time in his 11-year career that he had ever filed such a motion, but he said it was a "massive achievement" the way Rousey has changed his life and taken responsibility. He said Rousey has been gainfully employed since the time he was released from prison and was recently promoted to the role of supervisor. He said Rousey was also just approved for a mortgage and had recently purchased a new car. Rousey has also spoken on panels to discourage at-risk youth from committing crimes.

Prosecutors said they agreed to the motion because Rousey is "an exemplary defendant." Both sets of attorneys told the judge they believe criminals who reform so completely should be rewarded in some way.

The judge said the defendant had not been perfect, with an admitted violation of the terms of his release about a year ago, but since that violation was minor, he would allow the term to end in February 2010.

"The court just did a fantastic thing in doing that," Williams said. "It shows that we, society, will still accept you if you can undergo changes."

e-mail: emorgan@desnews.com