In a recent development, a federal court has sentenced fourteen members of the notorious Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs street gang. These gang members were found guilty of their involvement in a 2020 gang war that took place in western Tennessee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reported that the gang members were involved in a gang war during the summer of 2020, which resulted in a number of attempted and successful murders of rival gang members.
Investigators have concluded that the conflict was responsible for a series of shootings that occurred in both Fayette County and Hardeman County. Five separate incidents were found to be linked to the ongoing war.
Under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the conviction of crimes has been made against the 14 gang members.
According to United States Attorney Ritz, the safety and security of communities throughout West Tennessee were at risk due to the violent gang activities of these defendants. However, now they will be serving significant time, including life, in federal prison. The collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that gang members and trigger-pullers are brought to justice.
In February 9, 2024, a federal jury convicted three gang members of RICO offenses. The remaining 11 members had pleaded guilty to RICO offenses the previous year, in 2023.
Here is a roster of the accused gang members who have been charged.
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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 Western District of Tennessee is home to the TVL/JYD, a street gang known for its violent activities. The gang is a faction of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation based in Chicago.