Three Members of a Violent National Gang Convicted of RICO in Detroit

DETROIT – After a seven-week trial in federal court, a jury convicted three members of the Almighty Vice Lords Nation of a RICO conspiracy that involved a 2020 murder, and other crimes, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today. Ison was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Detroit Chief of Police James White. 

Evidence at trial proved the Almighty Vice Lords Nation (AVLN) was a sprawling criminal enterprise which committed acts of violence, drug dealing, and other crimes, across the country.  The trial involved members of the Traveling Vice Lords branch of the AVLN. The jury specifically found that the three men were responsible for a 2020 murder and attempted murder that took place at the Shirley-Plymouth playground on Detroit’s west side. The evidence at trial showed that Davun Baskerville killed J.G., a 29 year old man, in broad daylight in front of his two young children. Baskerville also shot and injured the children’s pregnant mother, who had witnessed the murder. The evidence proved that Terry Douglas and Schuyler Belew, Jr., aided and abetted the murder.  

The jury convicted: 

• Terry Douglas, 44, of Detroit, who was the Chief of the TVL branch. Douglas was convicted of RICO conspiracy, with a special finding that he was responsible for aiding and abetting the 2020 murder and participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack; of aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to the 2020 murder and attempted murder; of conspiring to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine; and of multiple other gun and drug charges. Douglas is subject to a mandatory 35-year sentence and up to life in prison.
• Schuyler Belew, Jr, 31, of Detroit, who was a leader—what is called a Universal Elite—of the TVLs in Michigan. Belew was convicted of RICO conspiracy, with a special finding that he was responsible for aiding and abetting the 2020 murder and participating in a conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack; and of aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to the 2020 murder and attempted murder. Belew faces a mandatory sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison.
• Davun Baskerville, 34, of Detroit, who was the Chief of Security for the TVLs. Baskerville was convicted of RICO conspiracy, with a special finding that he was responsible for the 2020 murder and attempted murder; of discharging a firearm during and in relation to the 2020 murder; and, of discharging a firearm during and in relation to the attempted murder of a witness. Baskerville faces a mandatory sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison.

“Today, a jury delivered justice to the men responsible for a brutal murder that took place in broad daylight in a park where children play,” United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison said. “It gave closure to a mother who was viciously shot in front of her kids. And, hopefully, it sent a clear message to those who are involved in gangs that perpetuate so much violence: stop or we will stop you.”

“Today’s jury verdict finding four more members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) guilty is proof that ATF Detroit is steadfast in its commitment to disrupt gun violence at its core to ensure every community member has an opportunity to live without the presence of gun 
violence.  These four defendants represent the worst of the worst in our community. They let their individual and collective greed guide their violent pathway straight into federal prison. It should be common knowledge throughout the state of Michigan: violent gang activity will not be tolerated and will be disrupted; change your ways or we’ll help you change them with a drastic change of scenery (federal prison).” said, Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Deir. 

“Through collaborating with our federal partners and others across law enforcement, we will continue to bring perpetrators of heinous acts like these to justice, showing our community that violence will not be tolerated in Detroit,” said Chief James E. White. “Together, all of us are making an impact to keep our community safe from violence and hold the bad actors that have been convicted of these crimes accountable.”  

The jury convicted a fourth man, Lawon Carter, 36, of Detroit, of possession with the intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin, and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, but acquitted Carter of RICO conspiracy. Carter faces a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to life.  

This is the second trial in less than a year involving the Almighty Vice Lord Nation. In November 2023, three national leaders of the gang were convicted of RICO conspiracy and other crimes in federal court in Detroit.  

Source: U.S. ATF, atf.gov