In western Tennessee, a gang war that took place in 2020 has resulted in the sentencing of 14 members of the Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs street gang in federal court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reported that members of the gang were involved in multiple attempts and actual murders of rival gang members during a gang conflict in the summer of 2020.
The authorities have established that the conflict was linked to a series of shootings that occurred in both Fayette County and Hardeman County.
Under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the court found all 14 gang members guilty of committing various crimes.
According to United States Attorney Ritz, the individuals on trial were part of a violent gang that posed a threat to the safety and security of communities in West Tennessee. The defendants have been sentenced to a significant amount of time, with some receiving life in federal prison. The attorney’s office will continue to collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure that gang members and those who pull the trigger face justice.
In February 9, 2024, a federal jury convicted three of the gang members for RICO offenses. On the other hand, the remaining 11 members had already pleaded guilty to RICO offenses back in 2023.
Here is a rundown of the individuals who have been charged as gang members.
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- Tomarcus “TC” Baskerville , 35, was sentenced to 960 months to be followed by life imprisonment
- Courtland “Hotbox” Springfield , 32, was sentenced to 480 months to be followed by life imprisonment
- Montaveen “CGE Tay” Taylor , 26, was sentenced to 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
The Almighty Vice Lord Nation, based in Chicago, has a dangerous offshoot known as TVL/JYD. This violent street gang is active in the Western District of Tennessee.
