Fayette and Hardeman County Gang Members Sentenced in Federal Court
The last of fourteen members of the Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs (TVL/JYD) street gang, convicted of crimes under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, has been sentenced in federal court.
According to information presented in court, the TVL/JYD is a violent criminal street gang that operates throughout the Western District of Tennessee. A subset of Chicago’s Almighty Vice Lord Nation, the gang participated in a series of attempted murders and murders of rival gang members during a gang war in the summer of 2020. The shootings spanned five different crime scenes across Fayette and Hardeman Counties.
“These defendants were members of a violent gang who threatened the safety and security of communities throughout West Tennessee,” said United States Attorney Ritz. “Now they will be serving significant time—in some cases, life—in federal prison. This office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to bring gang members and trigger-pullers to justice.”
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch stated, “Our agency is dedicated to investigating and pursuing violent gang members and restoring safety and peace. I want to commend the justice system’s commitment to curbing gang violence by sending a strong message that such heinous acts won’t be tolerated. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to combat violent crime across the great State of Tennessee.”
Three of the gang members, Tomarcus Baskerville, Courtland Springfield, and Thomas Smith, were convicted by a federal jury of RICO offenses on February 9, 2024. Eleven other TVL/JYD members pled guilty to RICO offenses in 2023. United States District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced the defendants as follows:
Tomarcus “TC” Baskerville, 35
960 months to be followed by life imprisonment
Courtland “Hotbox” Springfield, 32
480 months to be followed by life imprisonment
Montaveen “CGE Tay” Taylor, 26
420 months
Martivus “Tavis” Baskerville, 30
324 months
Deandra “Dre” Rivers, 28
262 months
Thomas “TJ” Smith, 25
255 months
Trevin “Scooter” Hullom, 31
216 months
Bianca Jackson, 23
188 months
Curtis “CB” Baskerville, 38
180 months
Mardarius McNeal, 26
135 months
Christopher “Lil Chris” Peeler, 32
120 months
Davaius “Mighty Shun” Worrles, 31
66 months
Deonte “Tez” Walker, 32
41 months
Torrance “Phat” Fitzpatrick, 29
31 months
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Fayette County Sheriff’s Office; Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office; Whiteville Police Department; and Somerville Police Department.
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