MICHIGAN-(ENEWSPF)-August 4, 2016. The case is being investigated by the ATFs Comprehensive Violence Reduction Program, which includes representatives of the Detroit Police, Michigan State Police, and Michigan Department of Corrections, in coordination with the FBI and DEA. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. These Vice Lord members first met at Kenneth Smiths house to discuss their plans. C-Flame; Anthony Reynolds, a.k.a. On Jan. 13, 2015, Christopher Tibbs, aka Chief Fatah, the leader of the Michigan branch of the Mafia Insane Vice Lords, was sentenced to 346 months in prison for his role in helping plan an armed robbery. This is a developing story. And he allegedly bragged about his power. Six Detroit Vice Lords Gang Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Gang-Related Shootings WASHINGTON - Six members of the Vice Lords gang in Detroit pleaded guilty this week to various racketeering and firearms offenses based on their roles in the gang-related shooting of four individuals. Get FBI email alerts (WXYZ) Four men are still being sought in connection with the Vice Lords gang that has ties to Detroit and Chicago. A court-appointed defense lawyer listed in the court filing did not respond to a message seeking comment Thursday. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. And for gang members who believe that you are protected from the law, were coming for you, too.. A 171-page indictment carries a total of 39 counts against 40 alleged members that include RICO, conspiracy gun, and drug charges. At Large Handout (1) by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd. DETROIT - Federal prosecutors are targeting dozens of members of one of Detroit 's notable street gangs in a racketeering complaint that was unsealed Thursday. The national gang was founded in Chicago in the 1960s and operates several branches in Michigan that are overseen by a governing board that is empowered to order hits on people. If any individual wants to leave gang life, we are here to help them do that safely. Spoonie; Terry Douglas, a.k.a. The alleged conspiracyinvolved murder, drug dealing, extortion, stabbings and murder plots, including hits oninmates within the Michigan Department of Corrections. The gang is centered out of Chicago and it is a large, well-organized, and sophisticated gang with thousands of members," Mohsin said. DETROIT -- A Detroit-based leader of the Vice Lords is headed to prison for more than 13 years after admitting he ordered attacks on two brothers who dared to leave the street gang. Officials say Thursdays indictment comes after a three-year investigation that led to the arrests. The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section and the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of Michigan. The Detroit One partnership is focusing our efforts on combating gang violence, McQuade said. "Gang members should take note that these recent cases demonstrate that the Detroit One strategy is permitting us to address gang violence with swift action and strong penalties. The case in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan alleges the people charged are connected to the Detroit branch of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation gang, which. The four men are Aaron Knight, Anthony Reynolds, John Johnson and. On May 25, an alleged senior leader of the Traveling Vice Lords, Burney Everett, aka "Tank," 27, of Detroit, was charged with various. Mohsin says their plan is simple -- they are going to identify the most violent individuals and groups and dedicate federal and state resources to investigate and arrest them. Share on Facebook Facebook Authorities said the Vice Lords are a violent gang network that runs like a corporation, dealing guns and drugs. LB; Winisford Watkins, a.k.a. Detroit Federal agents Thursday arrested more than three dozen members and associates of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation street gang in an attempt to stem the rise of gun violence in one of. After a brief confrontation with the brothers family members, Clark opened fire with an AK-47, firing at the family more than two dozen times and hitting four victims. Federal prosecutors unsealed a 172-page indictment that lists 40 members of the gang based out of Chicago but with a large presence in Detroit. The indictment, which also includes drug and firearms charges, is amongthe largest racketeering conspiracy cases in federal court history in Detroit. A leader of the Vice Lords street gang was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for attempted murder in aid of racketeering in connection with the May 7 . Lo; Brandon Thomas, a.k.a. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. Two years later, in April 2020, the person was shot, prosecutors said. Those convicted of federal racketeering-related crimes include members of the Seven Mile Bloods gang, the Devils Diciples Motorcycle Club,Highwaymen Motorcycle Cluband former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The unemployed forklift driver's detention comes amid allegations Fordham's own men wantto kill him as part of an internal power struggle that prosecutors fear could lead to bloodshed in Detroit and beyond. Von"; Gary Porter, a.k.a. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. RELATED: Feds target Vice Lords street gang with racketeering indictment. Our Civil Rights hotline is available for anyone who may have suffered a violation of their civil rights. The investigation, which involved personnel from Detroit Police andthe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives targeted leaders from five branches of the Vice Lords. The 172-page indictment follows a three-year investigation that led to 38 arrests Thursday during a series of raids in Detroit that disrupted three conspiracies to commit murder and led to the seizures of 15 firearms, drugs and cash. Email Email. Among those eight convicted defendants was Antonio Johnson, aka MT or MisterTony, the National President of the Phantoms and the Three-Star General over the Vice Lords in Michigan. The indictment charges that, from 2011 through 2015, the defendants trafficked in controlled substances, including marijuana, Xanax, and ecstasy, at locations around the Detroit metropolitan area, including in Detroit and at Northland Mall in Southfield, Michigan. On Wednesday, January 27, 2016, Antonio Clark, aka "Cheeto," 26, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to two counts of Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering, and one count of Use and Carry of a Firearm During, and in Relation to, a Crime of Violence. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. Christopher Odum "Murder" - A member of the Phantom Detroit chapter as well as a member of the Vice Lords. On Jan. 25, 2016, Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of using and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In one recorded phone call in May 2019, high-ranking leader Terry Douglas was overheard taking credit for arranging the assault of a fellow prisoner, prosecutors said. Imprisoned members bragged about overseeing crews in Michigan's prison system. Also, on January 13, 2015, Christopher Tibbs, a.k.a. The indictment charged these Vice Lords members with aiding and abetting one another in the shooting of the four family members after firing more than two dozen times at the family. Marshals tip line at (313) 234-5656 and the ATFs tip line at (313) 202-3400. "The quality of life in our community will remain closely aligned to our successful ongoing collective efforts to remove violent offenders from Detroit's streets." A 39-count federal indictment was unsealed Thursday alleging Michigan gang leader Kevin Spaghetti Fordham of Detroit and 39 other alleged gang members, associates, enforcers and high-ranking deputies of orchestrating a racketeering conspiracy that dates back to 2012. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WASHINGTON Six members of the Vice Lords gang in Detroit pleaded guilty this week to various racketeering and firearms offenses based on their roles in the gang-related shooting of four individuals. Feds make arrests targeting Vice Lords gang in Detroit, Chicago; 40 named in indictment. The indictment alleges that the Vice Lords' leaders are located in both Chicago and Detroit, and that the gang is broken down into various "sets," "decks," or "branches," including . emailStay Connected "We can advance, they can lock us up or we can end up dead," the gang's alleged chiefenforcer Davun Baskerville said in a recorded 2019 phone call, according to the indictment. Those who were arrested are expected to make an appearance in court today and tomorrow. For example, in July 2017, Fordham posted on Facebook that he was the chief enforcer of the gang, accordingto the indictment. The Detroit ATF urges anyone with information regarding the mens' whereabouts to contact them. The Almighty Vice Lord Nation gang was founded in Chicago in the 1960s. The defendants further admitted that on May 7, 2015, they and others met at Smiths house to discuss their plan and collect firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, then traveled in multiple cars to the intended victims house. "These convictions represent the significant impact law enforcement can have on violent criminal enterprises when local, state, and Federal partners combine forces to address the violent gangs responsible for terrorizing our communities," said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, FBI - Detroit Division. Anyone with any information about Smiths whereabouts is encouraged to call 313-234-5656. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Division, Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios of the FBIs Detroit Division and Chief James Craig of the Detroit Police Department. The 172-page indictment lists 40 members and associates of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation, a national gang out of Chicago with a prominent branch in Detroit. Two alleged leaders, Kevin Spaghetti Fordham who was arrested on Hubble Street in Detroit, and Martin Marty Murff, who was arrested in Chicago. In recent years, more than 100 people have been charged with racketeering conspiracy punishable by up to life in prison as Detroit police and federal investigators tried to curtail violent crime in Detroit. Civil rights complaints may also be made online at this linkusamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov. DETROIT (WWJ) - Six members of the Vice Lords street gang pleaded guilty this week to racketeering and firearms charges for their roles in the shootings of four family members. "The significant arrests and prosecutions made by Detroit One make certain that the citizens of Detroit and the region can once again start to feel safe in their communities" said Chief James Craig. These Vice Lord members first met at Kenneth Smiths house to discuss their plans. Blow; Tyrone Fisher, a.k.a. All four victims suffered gunshot wounds, but are recovering. Check back with FOX 2 for more details, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, Kirshean Nelson, 19, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy. Also called the Almighty Vice Lords and the Conservative Vice Lord Nation, the gang has morphed from petty crime to drug trafficking to white collar crime over the course of decades. The. Red; Rasean Walker; and Darryl Taylor, a.k.a. DETROIT -- Seven alleged members of a Detroit branch of the Vice Lords gang have been indicted in federal court on attempted murder and assault charges. The indictment charges the following individuals: Kevin Fordham, 51, Martin Murff, 52, Tamar Watkins, 45, Terry Douglas, 41, Eddie Reid, 36, Gregory Johnson, 41, Spoonie Johnson, 46, Kurteiz Thompson, 32, Javon Wilhite, 32, Schuyler Belew Jr., 28, Davun Baskerville, 31, Gary Porter, 38, Lawon Carter, 32, Anthony Reynolds, 36, Jaylin McNeal, 24, Anthony Najera, 33, Naujeh Carter, 28, Tyrone Fisher, 35, Fabian Toodle, 39, Earnest Lee, 39, Delaino Eppenger, 29, Devan Turner-Bankhead, 35, Angelo Hopson, 38, Brandon Thomas, 34, Kenneth Johnson, 35, Winisford Watkins, 40,Anthony Simmons, 32, Anthony Zigler, 42, Shelton Carter, 30, Artise Johnson, 42, Dwayne Parler,31, Lateef Moore, 48, Charles Douglas, 41, John Johnson, 43, Zanie Taliaferro, 48, Antione Coleman, 42, Harith Hunter, 42, Ondrome Lewis, 26, Rasean Walker, 44, and Darryl Taylor, 54. Among those eight convicted defendants was Antonio Johnson, aka "MT" or "Mister Tony," the National President of the Phantoms and the "Three-Star General" over the Vice Lords in Michigan. Other local branches include the Insane Vice Lords, Imperial Insane Vice Lords, Conservative Vice Lords, Mafia Insane Vice Lords, and Insane Goon Gang. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. "The drug activity, the drug trafficking, the gang activity your leadership role in the Vice Lords, possessing weapons all of that is without question a serious danger to the community, she said. Kevin Fordham Et Al Criminal Complaint by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd. Leader Artise Johnson said he controlled anentire "squad," according to the indictment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Detroit, MI - The collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement under the Detroit One program has led to the indictment of five members of a northwest Detroit street gang, Young and Skantless or YNS, on various racketeering offenses in a federal superseding indictment unsealed today. P and Marty; Tamar Watkins, a.k.a. The case is being investigated by the ATFs Comprehensive Violence Reduction Program, which includes representatives of the Detroit Police, Michigan State Police, and Michigan Department of Corrections, in coordination with the FBI and DEA. The guilty pleas are the result of the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and the community to reduce homicide and other violent crime under the Detroit One program. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. Dion Robinson is expected to plead guilty next week on certain charges. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The indictment alleges that the shooting was prompted by two of the family members' attempts to leave the gang. In two trials in March and May 2015, juries convicted eight leaders and members of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club, many of whom also were leaders and members of the Vice Lords, for various crimes, including a September October 2013 mass murder plot against a rival organization of the Phantoms, and the September 2013 shooting of a member of another rival organization. The indictment alleges that the shooting was prompted by two of the family members attempts to leave the gang. DETROIT - Six members of the Vice Lords street gang pleaded guilty this week to racketeering and firearms offenses for their roles in the shootings of four members of a family. S. Robin Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of ATF said, "Countering firearms violence, particularly when it relates to violent street gangs remains one of ATFs primary missions, when it comes to gun violence ATF will continue to work hand in hand with our Detroit One partners to ensure that those individuals who engage in violent criminal activity are removed from our neighborhoods. The feds also say the gang had a long reach into the Michigan prison system with leaders and enforcers who would attack rival gang members. Its total membership is estimated to be between 30,000 and 35,000. On Thursday, January 25, 2016, Kojuan Lee, aka Juan, 20, of Detroit, and Jonathan Kinchen, aka Deago, 22, of Detroit, each pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy. E Lee; Delaino Eppenger, a.k.a. They gathered firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, to assist in their plans. The city has seen nonfatal shootings rise 87.8%since 2019 while the number of homicides climbed 47.7%. Twon; Anthony Zigler, a.k.a. Reef; Ondrome Lewis, a.k.a. Prosecutors on Tuesday characterized Fordham as a drug-dealing gangster who lorded over a sprawling empire from a fortress on the west side of Detroit outfitted with armed guards, rifles and armor-piercing ammunition. Hundreds of gangs have been working the streets of Detroit for decades and continue today. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for more updates on this story. After skipping Detroit on its last tour, Michigan rock band Greta Van Fleet has announced a concert at Little Caesars Arena.. Prosecutors also lay out how gang members used Facebook to post pictures of their activity, as well as communicate about gang business. Serve Detroit connects meaningful service opportunities with willing and dedicated volunteers. 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