(WXYZ) Four men are still being sought in connection with the Vice Lords gang that has ties to Detroit and Chicago. Investigators seized Facebook messages, including some from Devan Turner-Bankhead, who is accused of heading one branch of the gang in Michigan. "His revenge. In the latest case, the ATF says they prevented three planned murders. Some of the videos show how they recruit the young and put them to the test. "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. C4; Anthony Simmons, a.k.a. On May 7, 2015, Vice Lords members Antonio Clark, Aramis Wilson, Tyrone Price, Jonathan Kinchen, Kojuan Lee, Kirshean Nelson, and Dion Robinson, traveled together to the intended victims house in multiple cars. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Veterans can also contact the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday to speak with a VA . Seven members of the Vice Lords were charged in an indictment unsealed today with various offenses based on their roles in a gang-related shooting. Anyone with any information about Smiths whereabouts is encouraged to call 313-234-5656. These Vice Lord members first met at Kenneth Smiths house to discuss their plans. 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. ATF agents go undercover to work the case and put their own lives on the line. 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. DETROIT (FOX 2) - In one of the largest racketeering and conspiracy busts in Detroit 's history, 40 members of the Detroit gang Almighty Vice Lords have been arrested on charges ranging. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Hundreds of gangs have been working the streets of Detroit for decades and continue today. emailStay Connected "I'm the m------------ king," Fordham boasted, according to the prosecutor. After a brief confrontation with family members, Clark opened fire with an AK-47 hitting four victims. [7] [8] Origin and growth [ edit] A court-appointed defense lawyer listed in the court filing did not respond to a message seeking comment Thursday. Defendants charged in the case have been involved in 365 felony arrests and 186 felony convictions, saidJames Deir, special agent in charge of the Detroit office of theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. the member wrote. Also on Thursday, Tyrone Price, aka Price, 27, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon 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. Out Kold; Dwayne Parler, a.k.a. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. Only fourpeople charged in the case had been granted bond through Tuesday afternoon and none were in the top leadership ranks. The Detroit One partnership is focusing our efforts on combating gang violence, McQuade said. Anyone who has information is urged to contact the police. The indictment further alleges that members who seek to leave or withdraw from the gang often endure a physical beating, known as a "beat out," by multiple Vice Lord members, or are targeted for killing, known as a "green light.". "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. Zane; Antione Coleman, a.k.a. Detroit and Michigan's only all-news station. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Few federal cases in recent history in Detroit have indicted such a high number of figures involved in organized crime. 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 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. 38 of the people charged in the indictment are in police custody, while the other two remain on the loose, according to a report. LB; Winisford Watkins, a.k.a. The feds say the gang has several layers and names including The Almighty Vice Lord Nation, based in Chicago, and branches with the names The Insane Vice Lords, The raveling Vice Lords and others. Oddball; Schuyler Belew Jr., a.k.a. Richard Simms" and Kaos; Kurteiz Thompson, a.k.a. Kenneth Smith is currently a fugitive. 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. 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. C-Flame; Anthony Reynolds, a.k.a. 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. (313) 226-9758 www.justice.gov/usao-edmi Six Vice Lords Plead Guilty to Rico Conspiracy and Gang-Related Shootings 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. Law enforcement executed search warrants at several locations in Detroit. 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. In two trials during March and May 2015, juries convicted eight leaders and members of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club, many of whom were also leaders and members of the Vice Lords, for various crimes, including a mass murder plot against a rival organization of the Phantoms and the shooting of a member of another rival organization. Among those eight convicted defendants was Antonio Johnson, aka MT and Mister Tony, the national president of the Phantoms and the three-star general of the Vice Lords in Michigan, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Sept. 8, 2015. Dion Robinson is expected to plead guilty next week on certain charges. S-Dot; Artise Johnson, a.k.a. U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin laid out one of the largest racketeering conspiracy busts in Detroit history as 40 members and associates of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation were charged, including the two highest-ranking members: Kevin "Spaghetti" Fordham and Martin Murff. 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 federal investigation includes additional charges. The indictment charges members from both Detroit and Chicago with being both state and national leaders of the gang. Three members of the Almighty Vice Lords Nation (AVLN) gang were indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and suboxone; and use of a communication facility to commit the drug conspiracy offense, announced "We will maintain our focus and remain stead-fast in our pledge to bringing swift justice to all those who commit violent acts against our city." Drama; Eddie Reid, a.k.a. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is also one of the founding members of the People Nation multi-gang alliance. "This s--- ain't over with. But also crimes including murder, prison hits, drug trafficking, robberies, extortion, and weapons. Your lack of criminal history shows that your leadership role has insulated you from engaging in criminal activity, the judge said. Fordham faces charges punishable by up to life in prison, including racketeering and drug conspiracy. "This group is notoriously violent and whenever a member or a member of the community is deemed to be a threat, they take action when people are going against it," said ATF Special Agent in Charges James Deir. RELATED: 3 members of Almighty Vice Lords Nation gang from metro Detroit charged with drug, weapons crimes. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison. 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. 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. 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. WWJ is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved. The indictment alleges that the shooting was prompted by two of the family members' attempts to leave the gang. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Paul Abbate of the FBIs Detroit Division and Chief James Craig of the Detroit Police Department. According to the indictment, the Vice Lords is a national gang engaged in a variety of crimes, including murder, robbery, narcotics trafficking and witness intimidation. Get FBI email alerts Among the activities named in the indictment are a 2013 armed robbery and a 2016 stabbing, as well as various assaults along with other instances of criminal activity, including prostitution and narcotics crimes. "We dismantled 3 separate conspiracies to murder somebody in this community for either cooperating with law enforcement or for something else distasteful," Deir said. Our Civil Rights hotline is available for anyone who may have suffered a violation of their civil rights. (WXYZ) Four men are still being sought in connection with the Vice Lords gang that has ties to Detroit and Chicago. 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. Members also targeted "snitches" who were perceived to be cooperating with law enforcement a cardinal sin within the rules of the gang, according to the indictment. 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. Vice Lord street gangs use a variety symbols to identify themselves, including a rabbit wearing a bow tie (the Playboy logo), often stylized with top hat and cane. According to admissions made by codefendants who have pleaded guilty in this case, the Vice Lords is a national gang engaged in a variety of crimes, and Vice Lords' leaders are located in both Chicago and Detroit. 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. 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. Hes 51, he has no record. "This is just the beginning," said interim Detroit Police Chief James White. Anyone with any information about Smiths whereabouts is encouraged to call 313-234-5656. The. "Chief Fatah," the leader of the Michigan branch of the Mafia Insane Vice Lords, was sentenced to almost 29 years in prison for his role in helping plan an armed robbery of a Little Caesars restaurant in Redford, Michigan, in September 2013. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The indictment further alleges that members who seek to leave or withdraw from the gang oftentimes endure a physical beating, known as a beat out, by multiple Vice Lord members, or are targeted for killing, known as a green light.. The indictmentprovides an intimate view of a sprawling investigation driven by a rise in violent crime in Detroit since 2019 and the involvement of what prosecutors described as a sophisticated gangstaffed by members with a fatalistic view. Von"; Gary Porter, a.k.a. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) The racketeering activity included, from 2011 through 2015, trafficking in controlled substances, including marijuana, Xanax and ecstasy, at locations in and around the Detroit metropolitan area, including at Northland Mall in Southfield, Michigan. 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. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. "What she looking like?" The charges related to the shooting are a component of the federal governments prosecution of the Vice Lords street gang, which has led to the arrests and convictions of Vice Lords leaders and members over several years. The Almighty Vice Lord Nation ( Vice Lords for short, abbreviated AVLN) is the second-largest and one of the oldest street and prison gangs in Chicago, Illinois. 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. WASHINGTONThe National President of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club and "Three-Star General" of the Vice Lords street gang in Michigan was sentenced today to serve 35 years in prison for. Wadee; Lateef Moore; Charles Douglas, a.k.a. This case marked the first time that the federal criminal street gang enhancement was charged in the Eastern District of Michigan. "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.". The gang is centered out of Chicago and it is a large, well-organized, and sophisticated gang with thousands of members," Mohsin said. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. "We shot they b---- asses," said Baskerville in one recorded phone call, according to the indictment. Detroit resident Kevin "Spaghetti" Fordham, 51, deserved to be jailed indefinitely, said U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Altman, citing recorded phone calls and social media posts portraying him as a gun-toting drug dealer who headeda 600-member armyin Michigan and other states. They gathered firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, to assist in their plans. Smoov; Anthony Najera, a.k.a. . Ace; Devan Turner-Bankhead, a.k.a. 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 May 7, 2015, Vice Lords members Antonio Clark, Aramis Wilson, Tyrone Price, Jonathan Kinchen, Kojuan Lee, Kirshean Nelson, and Dion Robinson, traveled together to the intended victims house in multiple cars. No Thanks Contact our office at 313-226-9634 or email us at USAMIE.EJ@usdoj.gov or visit our web page HERE for more information. After skipping Detroit on its last tour, Michigan rock band Greta Van Fleet has announced a concert at Little Caesars Arena.. 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. P and Marty; Tamar Watkins, a.k.a. The city has seen nonfatal shootings rise 87.8%since 2019 while the number of homicides climbed 47.7%. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. "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. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Twon; Anthony Zigler, a.k.a. 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. The ATF gave 7 Action News a look inside with videos made by gang members before they were busted. To those of you who are helping cause this violence by buying guns for the shooters, were coming for you. RELATED: Feds make a dent in Vice Lords gang arrests but 4 still being sought. A How-To-Guide to find the right fit. 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. Fordham deserved to be released because he has a spotless criminal record anddeep ties to Detroit, the lawyer said. In another recorded call in September 2017, Fordham is accused of discussing gang operations and discipline with an inmate. DETROIT - Federal prosecutors are targeting dozens of members of one of Detroit's notable street gangs in a racketeering complaint that was unsealed Thursday. "Violent crime rates continue to rise, and with summer upon us, that is likely to continue to rise," Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin told reporters. 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