They gathered firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, to assist in their plans. The indictment, which also includes drug and firearms charges, is amongthe largest racketeering conspiracy cases in federal court history in Detroit. 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. Man charged in front-door shooting of Black teen Ralph Yarl, Stock market today: Most stocks on Wall Street tick higher, Why are volunteerism rates uneven? ", "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. Dion Robinson is expected to plead guilty next week on certain charges. 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. DETROIT (WWJ) -- Federal agents arrested more than three dozen members and associates of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation street gang Thursday as law enforcement works to curtail rising gun violence in Detroit. 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 . "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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The gang's drug division offered a wide range of narcotics, everything from cocaine to heroin, fentanyl and prescription pills. The seven Vice Lord members charged with crimes stemming from this incident are . Of those facing federal charges, the suspects ahd 365 separate felony arrests between them prior to the new ones this week. (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. 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. Drama; Eddie Reid, a.k.a. On Jan. 27, 2016, Clark pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of using and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 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 was founded in Chicago in the 1960s. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan, 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 made the announcement. Four men sought in connection to Vice Lords gang, Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Feds target Vice Lords street gang with racketeering indictment. Share on Twitter Twitter The United States Attorney announced 40 members and associates of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation were charged in one of the largest racketeering conspiracy busts in Detroit history. Detroit and Michigan's only all-news station. Montana; Jaylin McNeal, a.k.a. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. According to court documents, leading up to the May 7, 2015 shooting, members of the Vice Lords, acting at the direction of Kenneth Smith and others, searched for two brothers that had left, or had attempted to leave, the Vice Lords, as part of a plan to harm those individuals. Here is the full list of those charged:(hometowns were not immediately available): 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Michigan boxing champ Claressa Shields defends middleweight belt at LCA in June, Sex offender charged in murder of Ann Arbor activist, Colder temps stick around until later in the week, Jackson House where Martin Luther King Jr planned historic marches to be moved to The Henry Ford, Infectious disease doctor explains UP paper mill fungus outbreak. If any individual wants to leave gang life, we are here to help them do that safely. "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. They are charged with using the gang for drug trafficking, violent crimes including robbery, murder and extortion, firearm crimes, as well as tampering and retaliating against witnesses. All rights reserved. Mohsin says counts 6-39 relate to offenses involving controlled substances, firearms and the use of firearms during the drug trafficking offenses. Do you have an environmental justice concern? 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. Only fourpeople charged in the case had been granted bond through Tuesday afternoon and none were in the top leadership ranks. 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 ATFs Comprehensive Violence Reduction Program, which includes representatives of the Detroit Police, Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Corrections, is investigating the case in coordination with the FBI and DEA. E Lee; Delaino Eppenger, a.k.a. 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. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for more updates on this story. Ace; Devan Turner-Bankhead, 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. 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. The indictment alleges that the Vice Lords leaders are located in Chicago and Detroit, and that the gang is broken down into various sets, decks, or branches, including the Detroit-based Traveling Vice Lords, Insane Vice Lords, Imperial Insane Vice Lords, Conservative Vice Lords, and Mafia Insane Vice Lords. In response, Turner-Bankhead sent the member 11 photos of female body parts. As we welcome the start of summer we want to send a message to gangs and violent offenders that law enforcement is committed to taking back our streets from violent gangs so that Detroit residents can enjoy the safe quality of life that we all deserve.. 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. Check back with FOX 2 for more details, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. 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. On September 8, 2015, Johnson was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The filing names several prominent members of the group, including Keven "Spaghetti" Fordham who has operated as one of the top-ranking members of the gang in Michigan. S-Dot; Artise Johnson, a.k.a. >>> LISTEN LIVE! 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. Twon; Anthony Zigler, a.k.a. Few federal cases in recent history in Detroit have indicted such a high number of figures involved in organized crime. (WXYZ) Forty people have been charged in a 172-page federal racketeering indictment that was unsealed in federal court in Detroit today. Mike Kohan, head of Great Neck, N.Y.-based Kohan Retail Investment Group, confirmed the . Marvin Nicholson, aka, "Chosen One," 46, of Detroit, the National Enforcer of the Phantoms and a Vice Lords member, was convicted of engaging in a RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities say the raids in Detroit helped disrupt three alleged conspiracies to commit murder, while seizing 15 guns, cash and drugs. Prosecutors said they fear gang violence following last week's unsealing of a 172-page indictment against 40 Vice Lords members and associates who are accused of committing murder, drug deals, extortion, stabbings and plotting hits oninmates in the Michigan Department of Corrections since 2012. Jamerio Clark, aka Merio, 28, of Detroit, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson of 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 Detroit One partnership is focusing our efforts on combating gang violence, McQuade said. The charges relating to the May 7, 2015, shooting of the four family members are one 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. Feds conducted 12 raids in Detroit and one in Chicago on Thursday. 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 Detroit One partnership is focusing our efforts on combating gang violence," McQuade said. U.S. v. Farid FataArchive of Fata Facilitator Website www.FataClaims.com, 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. RELATED: Feds make a dent in Vice Lords gang arrests but 4 still being sought. This case is being investigated by the ATF, FBI and the Detroit Police Department. 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. But also crimes including murder, prison hits, drug trafficking, robberies, extortion, and weapons. To those of you who are helping cause this violence by buying guns for the shooters, were coming for you. P and Marty; Tamar Watkins, a.k.a. 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. On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, Kirshean Nelson, 19, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy. Feds say there are 700 known members in Michigan. The. HFournier@detroitnews.com (313) 223-4616 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. Twellve and Lahabb; Gregory Johnson, a.k.a. Anyone with any information about Smiths whereabouts is encouraged to call 313-234-5656. After a brief confrontation with family members, Clark opened fire with an AK-47 hitting four victims. Detroit A judge Tuesday ordered the reputed leader of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation in Michigan held without bond pending trial in one of the largest racketeering conspiracy cases in federal court history. (WXYZ) Four men are still being sought in connection with the Vice Lords gang that has ties to Detroit and Chicago. Antonio Clark, aka Cheeto, 26; Aramis Wilson, aka Ace, 25; Tyrone Price, aka Price, 27; Jonathan Kinchen, aka Deago, 22; Kojuan Lee, aka Juan, 20; Kirshean Nelson, 19; Dion Robinson, 37; and Kenneth Smith, 34, all of Detroit, were indicted for racketeering and firearms charges relating to the gang-related shooting of four members of a family on May 7, 2015. C4; Anthony Simmons, a.k.a. The Detroit ATF urges anyone with information regarding the mens' whereabouts to contact them. the member wrote. Counts 2 and 3 charge assault with a dangerous in aid of racketeering, while counts 4 and 5 charge drug conspiracies. The indictment indicates prosecutors monitored phone calls and other communications involving accused gang members. 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. Detroit Federal agents Thursday arrested more than three dozenmembers and associates of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation street gangin an attempt to stem the rise of gun violence in one of the nation's most dangerous cities. Veterans will receive up to 12 months of tuition and fees and a monthly housing allowance based on Post-9/11 GI Bill rates. The federal investigation includes additional charges. 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. The U.S. Attorney's Office plans to speak on the case at 3 p.m. Thursday. Feds make arrests targeting Vice Lords gang in Detroit, Chicago; 40 named in indictment. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. 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. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 This case marked the first time that the federal criminal street gang enhancement was charged in the Eastern District of 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. According to the indictment, on May 7, 2015, to maintain and improve their positions in the Traveling Vice Lords, the defendants shot four individuals from the same family. The charges are related to four shootings . Officials say Thursdays indictment comes after a three-year investigation that led to the arrests. Email Email. 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