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| Fed probe results in Vice Lord arrests |
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By: LISA MARCHESONI, Senior Writer
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Posted: Sunday, November 1, 2009 7:10 am
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U.S. Attorney Ed Yarbrough
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Disabled citizen Moss James Dixon watched television when gang members fired several rounds Nov. 14, 2007 into his West Main Street home.
Dixon, 66, died a few days later from his injuries. Gang members shot four other people within three months.
The shootings were triggered by the murder of Vice Lord gang leader Donnell Valentine Nov. 10, 2007 at “The Drink” club in Murfreesboro. His fellow gang members retaliated by shooting into homes where they believed the suspects resided. Unfortunately, Dixon was not a suspect but “an innocent victim.”
Dixon’s murder remained unsolved until federal prosecutors released a 64-count indictment Tuesday charging nine members of the national Vice Lords gang with murdering him.
After a two-year investigation led by Murfreesboro Police Detective James Abbott, the indictments also charged the Chicago-based gang members from age 21 to 35 with shooting four people, kidnapping and beating an ex-member and attempting to kill nine other people from Nov. 10, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008 in Murfreesboro.
As part of the criminal enterprise, the indictment accused members of using pistols and an SKS rifle to shoot victims and conspiring to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.
Defendants indicted were Gary Eugene Chapman, 30, Christopher David Imes, 21, Demarco Lewayne Smith, 23, Lashandra Danielle Hightower, 26, Samuel Joseph Gaines, 22, and Delregus Alexander, 35, all of Murfreesboro, and Roger Wayne Battle, 28, Jessie Lobbins, 24, and Curtis S. Green, 28, all of Nashville.
The indictment accused gang members of assassinating Brandon “Chicago” Harris on Feb. 10, 2008 in Nashville after he was believed involved in Valentine’s murder.
U.S. Attorney Ed Yarbrough said in Tuesday’s press conference gang crimes will not be tolerated in Middle Tennessee.
“These defendants and others like them will be aggressively prosecuted so that innocent victims will no longer fear gang violence on their streets and in their homes,” Yarbrough said.
Gang description
Carter Smith, an MTSU associate professor of criminal justice, believes federal prosecution is the way to handle gang enterprises.
Smith described the Vice Lords as one of the third generation gangs such as MS-13, Gangsta Disciples and 18 Street. These third generational gangs can generate economic and military power equal or larger than many nations or states. They “have a propensity for indiscriminate violence, intimidation (and) coercion” and pose a significant national security threat.
“It’s no shock they’re here,” Smith said, explaining they are like a corporation with a mindset and a very structured organization.
The Vice Lords formed in Chicago and branched out with a heavy presence in Memphis. Gang members are in the business of distributing drugs and weapons as referenced in the federal indictment.
Because of the competition, the gangs draw more rival gangs to a community.
“They are all over Rutherford County,” Smith said. “They don’t go away.”
Communities can’t fight gangs by burying their heads in the sand and pretend the groups don’t exist, the professor said.
How do people fight gangs?
“Stand up to them,” Smith said.
“Just like terrorists, gang bangers are committing crimes,” the professor said.
As part of those crimes, gang members are committing conspiracies, also outlined in the federal indictments.
By prosecuting on the federal level, gang members will serve more time. For example, a 10-year sentence means 10 years to serve, not like shorter sentences imposed on the state level.
Detective Abbott said the gang members accept murder and shootings as part of their business enterprise. He believes the indictments send a message their actions won’t be tolerated.
Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com. |
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