Three members of violent Memphis street gang sentenced for attempted murder in aid of racketeering and firearm charges (DOJ)

Three members of the Unknown Vice Lords (UVL), a violent street gang in Memphis, Tennessee, were sentenced to a total of over 42 years in prison for conspiring and attempting to commit a gang-related murder and firearms violations.

"These individuals showed a blatant disregard for public safety by engaging in a gang shooting in the middle of a residential neighborhood," said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "Gang violence terrorizes our communities, fosters fear, destabilizes neighborhoods, and endangers the lives of law-abiding residents. The Criminal Division is standing up for the rule of law. We will continue to dismantle these criminal organizations to zealously protect the safety and security of American citizens."

"The days of criminal gangs controlling the streets of Memphis are over." said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. "Gang culture, rivalries, and beefs beget more senseless gang violence that endangers innocent citizens. If you are a member of a criminal gang committed to a lifestyle of lawlessness, no matter your rank, role, or nickname - your days are numbered - there will be a reckoning."

"ATF's primary mission is to ensure public safety by combating violent crime," said Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division. "Individuals who deliberately engage in violent activities such as retaliatory gang shootings render our communities vulnerable to great harm, instill fear, and ultimately diminish the quality of life for all citizens. The ATF will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate offenders who render our communities unsafe."

The following individuals were sentenced:

• Antwon Brown, also known as Yayo, 33, of Memphis, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for attempting to commit murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied residence.
• Cordera Douglas, also known as Chuckie Dee, 37, of Memphis, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for conspiring to commit murder.
• Willie Merriweather, also known as Willie, 42, of Antioch, Tennessee, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiring to commit murder.

According to court documents, Brown, Douglas, and Merriweather were all ranked members of UVL, also known as The Ghost Mob, which is a criminal enterprise that controlled territory throughout Memphis, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Members of UVL committed murders, assaults, and drug trafficking on behalf of the enterprise.

Court documents allege that on Sept. 6, 2020, rival gang members opened fire on UVL members and their families, injuring four people. Merriweather, who was a high-ranking UVL leader, ordered a retaliatory attack. Douglas participated in a gang meeting planning retaliation. Shortly after midnight on Sept. 7, 2020, Brown traveled to the residence of the rival gang members armed with assault style rifles and wearing masks and gloves. Brown intentionally shot approximately 40-50 bullets into the residence with the rival gang members inside. Neighborhood security cameras captured the shooting. In the video, Brown is using, carrying, and firing multiple firearms into the residence.

Co-defendant Ricky Rogers, Jr., also known as Double R, RR, 32, of Memphis, is set to be sentenced on Nov. 5.

Co-defendant Tevin Richardson, also known as Santana, 34, of Memphis, is set for trial on April 4, 2027.

The ATF and Memphis Police Department investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Dennis Robinson of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

This case is part of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.