Three senior members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) street gang were sentenced to decades in federal prison this week for their roles in a massive criminal enterprise that included murder, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes.
Terry Douglas, 44, Schuyler Belew, 31, and Devun Baskerville, 34, all from Detroit, were convicted in April of RICO conspiracy, murder, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses.
Douglas, the Michigan leader of the Traveling Vice Lords, and Belew, the Detroit leader, were both sentenced to 60 years in prison. Baskerville, dubbed the “Chief Enforcer,” received a 70-year sentence.
The evidence presented at trial revealed the AVLN’s vast criminal network, which stretched across the country. The case focused on the Traveling Vice Lords branch in Detroit, where convicted members used violence and intimidation to maintain control and advance the gang’s activities.
One particularly shocking incident involved the brutal daylight murder of a person suspected of cooperating with law enforcement. Baskerville, acting on orders from Douglas and Belew, shot and killed the man in a Detroit park before attempting to murder his girlfriend as she fled with her two young children in the car. The pregnant woman survived the attack but received 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,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “It is my sincere hope that these sentences bring some closure to the victim’s family.”
“The sentencing of three more members of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation (AVLN) demonstrates that the ATF and its partners have no tolerance for gang members who use illegal firearms to intimidate and murder our community members.
This case was a complete reckoning for this gang and should serve as a wake-up call to gang members throughout Michigan. These three defendants are the absolute worst in our community. Greed bought them a one-way ticket straight to federal prison.
It should be common knowledge throughout Michigan that violent gang activity will not be tolerated and will be stopped; if you bring an illegal firearm to threaten and intimidate people in our community, pack a bag. “You’re going to federal prison,” stated 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 threatening communities across the United States.
The Detroit Police Department and the Michigan Department of Corrections both played important roles in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Lawon Carter, a fourth defendant, was convicted of drug trafficking and weapons offenses and is set to be sentenced in April 2025.
