Three high-ranking members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) street gang were sentenced to decades in federal prison this week for their roles in a vast criminal enterprise involving murder, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes.
Terry Douglas, 44, Schuyler Belew, 31, and Devun Baskerville, 34, all of Detroit, were convicted in April on charges of RICO conspiracy, murder, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses.
Douglas, the Michigan leader of the Traveling Vice Lords, and Belew, the Detroit leader, were each sentenced to 60 years in prison. Baskerville, the “Chief Enforcer,” received a 70-year sentence.
READ: Former Postal Supervisor In Missouri Pleads Not Guilty To Stealing Checks From The Mail
Evidence presented at trial revealed the AVLN’s extensive criminal network, which spanned across the country. The case focused on the Traveling Vice Lords branch in Detroit, where the convicted members carried out acts of violence and intimidation to maintain control and further the gang’s activities.
One particularly shocking incident involved the brazen daylight murder of an individual suspected of cooperating with law enforcement. Baskerville, acting on orders from Douglas and Belew, shot and killed the man in a Detroit park and attempted to murder his girlfriend as she fled with her two young children in the car. The woman, who was pregnant at the time, survived the attack but sustained gunshot wounds.
“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.”
READ: Inmate Orchestrates Drug Trafficking Operation From South Carolina Prison
“The sentencing of three more members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) is proof that ATF and its partners have zero tolerance for gang members who use illegal firearms to intimidate and murder our community members. This case was a complete reckoning of this gang and should serve as a wake-up call for gang members across Michigan. These three defendants represent the worst of the worst in our community. Greed bought them a one-way ticket straight into federal prison. It should be common knowledge throughout Michigan: violent gang activity will not be tolerated and will be disrupted; if you pack an illegal firearm to threaten and intimidate people in our community – pack a bag. You’re going to go to federal prison,” said, Special Agent in Charge James Deir.
This case is part of a larger effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) to dismantle high-level criminal organizations that threaten communities across the United States.
The Detroit Police Department and the Michigan Department of Corrections also played key roles in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
A fourth defendant, Lawon Carter, was also convicted of drug trafficking and weapons offenses and is scheduled to be sentenced in April 2025.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.