This conviction and sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by the Knoxville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Cleveland Police Department, Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Department of Corrections, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting this violent inner-city gang.' 'We are likewise grateful for the support and collaboration of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office, and their colleagues in KPD’s Organized Crime Unit to end this defendant’s contributions to creating fear in the lives of citizens who seek only to raise their families in a safe community,' said Captain Tony Willis, KPD Organized Crimes Unit. In their capacity as KPD investigators assigned as task force officers to the FBI, they worked collaboratively with the FBI, the U.S. I am extremely proud of the work that KPD Investigators Brandon Stryker and Brandon Glover did over an extensive period of time to dismantle a violent inner-city gang, of which Turner was a member. 'Without question, the conviction and sentencing of this defendant will have a profound effect on public safety and quality of life, most significantly in the inner-city where Turner committed numerous acts of violence as an influential gang member. To identifying, investigating, and apprehending those who terrorize our communities with their reckless and illegal behavior,' said FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Carrico. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain dedicated This life sentence sends a very strong message to those who engage in these unlawful activities. 'Illegal drug trafficking continues to have a devastating and horrific impact on communities throughout our nation. 'This case is an example of the Department of Justice’s comprehensive strategy to target and prosecute the most serious offenders who pose the greatest threats to safety and peace within the community.'

This sentence sends a powerful message that armed gang leaders who recruit and use minors to flood the community with drugs and who employ credible threats of violence in their crimes will face justice,' said United States Attorney Francis M. 'Gang violence, coupled with armed trafficking of lethal drugs, has resulted in devastation and death within our community. The remaining seven defendants who were convicted in July will be sentenced in the coming months. In determining the sentence, Judge Varlan took into account several aggravating factors, including Turner’s role as a leader and organizer of the crimes, his use of minors to commit his crimes, as well as credible threats of violence Turner made against other people in connection with his crimes. According to court documents, seven other charged members of the conspiracy previously pleaded guilty. In addition, Turner and other defendants were convicted of counts charging the possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, the illegal distribution of drugs, and unlawful possession of firearms in East Tennessee. The jury also convicted Turner and other defendants of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Witnesses testified at trial that Turner was the Knoxville leader of a violent street gang known as the Unknown Ghost Vice Lords. The sentencing follows Turner’s federal trial last July in which a jury convicted him and six other gang members of conspiring to distribute various controlled substances, including methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, oxycodone, alprazolam, and buprenorphine. Varlan, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Turner, 23, of Knoxville, was sentenced to life plus ten years in prison, by the Honorable Thomas A.

Knoxville vice lords