Three members apart of Detroit branch of national violent gang sentenced to 60+ years in prison
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Three members of a national gang will spend many years behind bars after being sentenced by a jury in federal court for violent crimes in Detroit.
The US Department of Justice announced on Thursday that three members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation, (AVLN), were convicted by a jury of RICO conspiracy, murder, drug trafficking, and weapons charges on April 23.
United States Attorney Dawn Ison made the announcement, saying evidence presented at the trial proved the AVLN was a vast criminal enterprise which committed acts of violence, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and other crimes across the country.
According to authorities, the gang is divided into different branches that answer to a "board" in Chicago.
The trial involved gang members in Detroit.
The DOJ said three people were convicted, including:
- "Terry Douglas, 44, of Detroit, who held the title of "Chief" and was the Michigan leader of the Traveling Vice Lords. Douglas 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. Belew was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
- Devun Baskerville, 34, of Detroit, who held the title of "Chief Enforcer" for the Traveling Vice Lords. Baskerville was sentenced to 70 years in prison."
Evidence shown at the trial revealed that the three members of the gang worked together to further the AVLN, including members committing acts of murder, trafficking narcotics, and intimidating witnesses.
In federal court, the jury heard testimony about a shooting that took place at a Detroit park where Baskerville acted on orders from Douglas and Belew to murder a person suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and attempted to murder his girlfriend when he shot several times into her car as she tried to drive away.
Her two young children were also in the car and were not harmed. Officials say the girlfriend suffered gunshot wounds but was okay. She was pregnant at the time.
A man named Lawon Carter was also convicted of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. His sentencing is set for April 28, 2025.
"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 Ison. "It is my sincere hope that these sentences bring some closure to the victim’s family."