Vice lords detroit

Authorities say the gang's main purpose is to sell drugs, protect its turf, provide money to jailed members and preserve its power through fear and intimidation. And it maintains a strong presence within the Michigan Department of Corrections, authorities say. More: Latin Counts gangster gets 30 years; Vice Lord gets 20 for forcing minor into prostitution.

Chicago is considered the "Holy Land" of the group, which is comprised of Kings and Princes who rule, and the so-called Universal Elites, who run sections of a city or area. To get into the gang, one is either brought in through a blessing — a prayer is read — or a beating. Numerous gang members are accused of carrying out different crimes for the organization, including:. Authorities said in addition to arresting dozens of suspects, they also seized numerous guns and large amounts of cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

The unemployed forklift driver's detention comes amid allegations Fordham's own men want to kill him as part of an internal power struggle that prosecutors fear could lead to bloodshed in Detroit and beyond. Prosecutors said they fear gang violence following last week's unsealing of a page indictment against 40 Vice Lords members and associates who are accused of committing murder, drug deals, extortion, stabbings and plotting hits on inmates in the Michigan Department of Corrections since Fordham faces charges punishable by up to life in prison, including racketeering and drug conspiracy.

Prosecutors on Tuesday characterized Fordham as a drug-dealing gangster who lorded over a sprawling empire from a fortress on the west side of Detroit outfitted with armed guards, rifles and armor-piercing ammunition. Assistant U. Attorney Danielle Asher said investigators had intercepted phone calls in which Fordham authorized, sanctioned or discussed three murder plots. And he allegedly bragged about his power.

The Vice Lords gang in Detroit was characterized as highly organized, hierarchal and violent, run by leaders who controlled various parts of Detroit and approved hits on inmates in Michigan's prison system, according to the indictment.

That included arranging for one felon to be stabbed in the face in early , according to the indictment.

The national gang was founded in Chicago in the s and operates several branches in Michigan that are overseen by a governing board that is empowered to order hits on people. The hits are known within the gang as Key 21 orders.

The investigation, which involved personnel from Detroit Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives targeted leaders from five branches of the Vice Lords.

The Vice Lords are social media savvy and used Facebook to communicate among members, prosecutors said. For example, in July , Fordham posted on Facebook that he was the chief enforcer of the gang, according to the indictment.

The indictment indicates prosecutors monitored phone calls and other communications involving accused gang members. In one recorded phone call in May , high-ranking leader Terry Douglas was overheard taking credit for arranging the assault of a fellow prisoner, prosecutors said.

In another recorded call in September , Fordham is accused of discussing gang operations and discipline with an inmate. Members also targeted "snitches" who were perceived to be cooperating with law enforcement — a cardinal sin within the rules of the gang, according to the indictment.