MEMPHIS, TN — The last of fourteen members of the Traveling Vice Lords/Junk Yard Dogs (TVL/JYD) street gang was sentenced in federal court today, marking the conclusion of a major RICO case. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentences, which include significant prison terms, with some defendants receiving life sentences.
The TVL/JYD, a subset of the Chicago-based Almighty Vice Lord Nation, has been identified as a violent criminal gang active throughout West Tennessee. Court proceedings revealed the gang’s involvement in multiple shootings, including attempted murders and murders of rival gang members during a gang conflict in the summer of 2020. These incidents occurred across five different crime scenes in Fayette and Hardeman Counties.
United States Attorney Ritz emphasized the threat these gang members posed to community safety and security. He affirmed the commitment of his office to collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute gang affiliates and individuals responsible for violent crimes.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch also commented on the case, highlighting the agency’s dedication to investigating and addressing gang-related violence. He praised the judicial system’s efforts to deter gang violence and assured ongoing cooperation among law enforcement bodies to enhance public safety throughout Tennessee.