14 men sentenced to federal prison after 2020 gang war

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fourteen members of the Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs street gang have been sentenced in federal court after convictions in connection to a 2020 gang war in western Tennessee.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the gang members participated in a series of attempted murders and murders of rival gang members throughout a gang war in the summer of 2020.

It was determined that five separate shootings across Fayette County and Hardeman County were connected to the war.

The 14 gang members were convicted of crimes under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

“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.”

Three of the gang members were convicted by a federal jury of RICO offenses on February 9, 2024. The other 11 members pled guilty to RICO offenses in 2023.

The following is a list of the gang members charged.

• Tomarcus “TC” Baskerville , 35, was sentenced to 960 months to be followed by life imprisonment
• Courtland “Hotbox” Springfield , 32, was sentenced to 480 months to be followed by life imprisonment
• Montaveen “CGE Tay” Taylor , 26, was sentenced to 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

The TVL/JYD is a violent street gang that operates throughout the Western District of Tennessee. It is a subset of Chicago’s Almighty Vice Lord Nation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.