MICHIGAN
A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced the leader of the Vice Lords street gang to 13 years and six months in prison for his role in the 2015 shooting of four members of a family with an AK-47 in Detroit, according to officials.
Burney Everett, aka Tank, 27, of Detroit, plead guilty on Oct. 25 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Everett controlled the Vice Lords by ordering violent retribution against anyone who crossed him, his revenge had no limits,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco. “I am proud of the unified efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, including the Detroit One partners, who successfully brought Everett and other Vice Lord members to justice. The Justice Department will continue to work closely and jointly with all of our Federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate, prosecute and dismantle violent gangs, like the Vice Lords, wherever they may be present.”
According to admissions made in connection with Everett’s plea, the Vice Lords is a national gang engaged in a variety of crimes and the gang’s leaders are located in both Chicago and Detroit. The gang is broken down into various “sets,” “decks,” or “branches,” including the Detroit-based Traveling Vice Lords.
The Vice Lords have often targeted members who sought to leave the gang for physical beatings or murder.
Everett admitted that in May 2015, he ordered other members of the Vice Lords to search for two brothers who had left or attempted to leave the gang in order to harm them.
Everett further admitted that on May 7, 2015, at his direction, members of the Vice Lords traveled in multiple cars to the intended victims’ house. After a brief confrontation with the brothers’ family members, Vice Lords member Antonio Clark admitted in connection with his own plea that he fired an AK-47 23 times, hitting the brothers,
Everett also said that on May 7, 2015, at his direction, members of the Vice Lords traveled in multiple cars to the intended victims’ house. After a brief confrontation with the brothers’ family members, Vice Lords member Antonio Clark admitted in connection with his own plea that he fired an AK-47 23 times, hitting the brothers, their mother, and a 15-year-old sister.
All victims survived the shootings
All defendants charged for the shooting plead to charges related to the shooting.
In addition to Everett, eight members and leaders of the Vice Lords, all of Detroit, have pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting, seven of whom have been sentenced.
“This conviction and sentence is particularly important since Mr. Everett was a leader of the gang and directed this violence to occur. This lengthy sentence underscores that one does not have to be physically present at a shooting to bear the full brunt of criminal responsibility and punishment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Lemisch of Michigan. “We hope Mr. Everett’s sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to those who may want to pursue the gang lifestyle.”