Federal prison sentences have been handed down to fourteen members of a violent criminal street gang that has been operating throughout Western Tennessee. The gang’s activities have been a cause of concern for law enforcement authorities.
The prison sentences handed down vary from 2.5 years to life behind bars.
According to officials from the Justice department, the entire group of accused individuals are known members of the Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs (TVL/JYD) gang, which is a faction of the larger Chicago-based Almighty Vice Lord Nation.
According to reports, the gang was involved in numerous killings and attempted killings of rival gang members in the summer of 2020, as part of a gang war.
Gun violence erupted in multiple locations across Fayette and Hardeman Counties, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. These shootings took place in five different crime scenes, each one more devastating than the last.
United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz stated that the defendants were part of a violent gang that posed a threat to the safety and security of communities across West Tennessee. He added that they would now serve substantial prison time, including life sentences in some cases. Ritz also reiterated that his office would collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to hold gang members and trigger-pullers accountable for their actions.
Under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which was passed by Congress in 1970 to combat organized crime, the 14 defendants were found guilty of various crimes.
On February 9, 2024, the RICO Act offenses trial resulted in the conviction of Tomarcus Baskerville, Courtland Springfield, and Thomas Smith by a federal jury.
In 2023, the rest of the 11 members admitted their guilt.
The defendants were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman in the following manner:
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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
David Rausch, the Director of Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, emphasized the agency’s unwavering commitment to investigate and prosecute violent gang members in order to establish safety and peace in the state. He lauded the justice system’s efforts to deter gang violence by sending a clear message that such atrocious acts will not be permitted. Rausch pledged to continue working diligently with their partners to combat violent crimes throughout Tennessee.
This case was investigated by a team of 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.
