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Three Detroit members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation, a violent national gang, were sentenced this week after a federal jury in Detroit in April convicted them of RICO conspiracy, murder, drug trafficking and weapons charges.
The trial was the second wave of prosecutions of the gang members, and is part of a concerted effort to crack down on violent street gangs in Detroit.
Evidence at trial showed that the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) is a national criminal enterprise divided into different branches, each with their own leadership that answers to a “board” in Chicago, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit. .
According to Gangs Wiki, the Almighty Vice Lord Nation is one of the oldest street and prison gangs from Chicago. The total membership is estimated to be between 30,000 and 35,000.
The trial involved members of the Traveling Vice Lords in Detroit, a chapter of the national gang.
According to authorities:
• Terry Douglas, 44, of Detroit, who held the title of “Chief” and was the Michigan leader
of the Traveling Vice Lords. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
• Schuyler Belew, 31, of Detroit, who held the title of “Universal Elite” and was the
Detroit leader of the Traveling Vice Lords. He also got 60 years in prison.
• Devun Baskerville, 34, of Detroit, who held the title of “Chief Enforcer” for the Traveling
Vice Lords. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison.
The jury heard testimony concerning a brazen shooting that took place in broad daylight at a Detroit park.
Authorities alleged that Baskerville, acting upon orders from Douglas and Belew, murdered a person suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and attempted to murder his girlfriend, who was pregnant.
He shot shot several times into her vehicle as she tried to flee. Two children were in that vehicle, but were not hurt. She was shot and wounded.
The jury also convicted Lawon Carter of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. His sentence is set for April 28.
“The sentences handed down in this case should send a clear message to violent offenders who
terrorize our neighborhoods: we won’t stop until you are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney
Dawn Ison. “It is my sincere hope that these sentences bring some closure to the victim’s family.”
James Deir. head of the ATF office in Detroit, said in a statement:
“The sentencing of three more members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) is proof that ATF and its partners have zero tolerance for gang members who use illegal firearms to intimidate and murder our community members. This case was a complete reckoning of this gang and should serve as a wake-up call for gang members across Michigan.
"These three defendants represent the worst of the worst in our community. Greed bought them a one-way ticket straight into federal prison."
