DETROIT (WWJ) Three Detroit men— members of the Almighty Lords Viceroy Nation (ALVN) who are convicted in the murder of a man and attempted murder of his pregnant girlfriend— were sentenced in federal court this week to decades in prison.
A jury convicted Terry Douglas, Schuyler Belew and Devun Baskerville on April 23rd of this year of RICO (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) conspiracy, murder, drug trafficking and weapons charges. They are a part of the Traveling Vice Lords, a chapter of the ALVN; according to prosecutors.
United States Attorney Dawn Ison was joined in announcing the sentencing by James Weir, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the press release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan said.
Douglas, 44, held the Title of “Chief” and was the Michigan leader of the Traveling Vice Lords.
Belew, 31, was the Detroit leader of the Traveling Vice Lords and was called the “Universal Elite.”
Both were sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Baskerville, 34, had the title of “Chief Enforcer” of the Traveling Vice Lords. He was sentenced to 70 years.
According to the press release; evidence presented at trial characterized the ALVN as a “vast criminal enterprise which committed acts of violence, drug trafficking, weapons offenses and other crimes across the country." The ALVN has multiple branches nationwide, all with their own leadership, that answers to a “board” in Chicago.
The jury also heard testimony about a “brazen shooting…in broad daylight” at a Detroit park. In that shooting; Baskerville, acting upon orders from Douglas and Belew, murdered a man suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and tried to kill his pregnant girlfriend by shooting into her vehicle multiple times as she tried to get away, prosecutors said.
Her two young children were inside the car at the time, but were not hurt; according to prosecutors.
His girlfriend suffered multiple gunshot wounds, but survived.
The jury also convicted Lawon Carter of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. His sentencing is slated for April 28, 2025.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “It is my sincere hope that these sentences bring some closure to the victim’s family.”