Fourteen individuals belonging to a violent criminal street gang operating in Western Tennessee have been sentenced to federal prison, according to WMC News.
The prison sentences handed out vary from 2.5 years to life imprisonment.
According to officials in the Justice department, the members of the infamous Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs (TVL/JYD) gang, which is a faction of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation in Chicago, are all defendants in the case.
During the summer of 2020, the gang was allegedly involved in a string of killings and attempted murders of rival gang members, as reported.
The shootings occurred at five separate crime scenes in Fayette and Hardeman Counties.
According to United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz, these individuals were part of a dangerous gang that posed a threat to communities across West Tennessee. Ritz stated that the defendants will now face lengthy prison sentences, including life imprisonment, as a result of their actions. He further emphasized that his office will maintain close collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure that gang members and those who engage in violent behavior are held accountable for their actions.
Under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1970 to combat organized crime, all 14 defendants were found guilty of committing crimes.
On February 9, 2024, Tomarcus Baskerville, Courtland Springfield, and Thomas Smith, were convicted of RICO Act offenses by a federal jury.
All of the 11 members left were found guilty and admitted their crimes in 2023.
Judge Sheryl H. Lipman of the United States District Court handed down the following sentences to the defendants:
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- Tomarcus “TC” Baskerville, 35 | 960 months to be followed by life imprisonment
- Courtland “Hotbox” Springfield, 32 | 480 months to be followed by life imprisonment
- Montaveen “CGE Tay” Taylor, 26 | 420 months
- Martivus “Tavis” Baskerville, 30 | 324 months
- Deandra “Dre” Rivers, 28 | 262 months
- Thomas “TJ” Smith, 25 | 255 months
- Trevin “Scooter” Hullom, 31 | 216 months
- Bianca Jackson, 23 | 188 months
- Curtis “CB” Baskerville, 38 | 180 months
- Mardarius McNeal, 26 | 135 months
- Christopher “Lil Chris” Peeler, 32 | 120 months
- Davaius “Mighty Shun” Worrles, 31 | 66 months
- Deonte “Tez” Walker, 32 | 41 months
- Torrance “Phat” Fitzpatrick, 29 | 31 months
According to Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, their agency remains steadfast in their mission to investigate and pursue violent gang members to restore safety and peace in the state. He commended the justice system’s dedication to stopping gang violence by sending a powerful message that such inhumane acts will not be accepted. Director Rausch emphasized that they will continue to work tirelessly with their partners to combat violent crimes across Tennessee.
The investigation of this case was carried out by several law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office, Whiteville Police Department, and Somerville Police Department.
