Jackson, TN – Dontoreus Douglas, a/k/a "D.T.," 32,
was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison for attempted murder in aid of
racketeering activity; discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime
of violence; possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and
possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S.
Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in 2009,
Dontoreus Douglas became a member of the street gang and criminal enterprise
known as the Gangster Disciples. The Gangster Disciples enterprise has a highly
organized structure with nationwide reach, active in 35 states. In 2012,
Douglas committed attempted murders for the purpose of gaining entrance to or
maintaining or increasing position within the Gangster Disciples. As a member
of the "Blackout Squad," he held the rank of Chief of
Security/Enforcer.
On June 12, 2012, officers with the Jackson Police
Department were dispatched to a residence in Jackson, Tennessee in response to
gun shots. Officers found that a victim had been shot twice and they observed
approximately thirty-five bullet holes in a vehicle. Investigators found thirty
7.62 caliber round casings and twenty-six .223 caliber round casings in an area
across the street.
On February 27, 2013, investigators received information
about narcotics being sold from a residence, known as the "Compound",
the Gangster Disciples headquarters. Law enforcement were familiar with this
area. Investigators searched the apartment and discovered a loaded AK-style
rifle that utilized 7.62 caliber rounds and drugs and gang paraphernalia, as
well as receipts belonging to the defendant. Agents with the Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives laboratory determined that the rifle found at the apartment
was the same rifle that fired all thirty rounds of 7.62 caliber rounds
recovered from the scene of the June 12, 2012 shooting.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’
(ATF) laboratory located in Atlanta, Georgia, did NIBIN testing on the weapon
found in Douglas’ possession. NIBIN, or the National Integrated Ballistics
Information Network, is an ATF led program that is used to link violent
criminals to the violent crimes they commit by using the firearms they possess
or use. The NIBIN program allows law enforcement to leverage technology to
assist local agencies, such as the Jackson Police Department, to solve violent
crimes. NIBIN is not only instrumental in Jackson, Tennessee, but also in other
parts of the country where the criminal element uses firearms to commit crimes
of violence.
On June 3, 2016, after investigating a suspicious freight
container delivered at a local Jackson business, it was picked up by Douglas
and contained marijuana. Officers further discovered that the defendant also
possessed a loaded pistol and a smaller amount of cocaine and heroin.
On October 18, 2019, U.S. District Court Chief Judge S.
Thomas Anderson sentenced Douglas to 280 months in federal prison followed by 4
years supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Dismantlement
of criminal gangs is a top priority of the Department of Justice, and this case
represents the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law
enforcement to target and remove a significant violent participant and leader
in the Gangster Disciples organization. ‘D.T.’ will now serve a sentence of
over 23 years in federal prison for his violent and drug crimes. We are taking
the fight to the gangs in West Tennessee, and we are relentless in our resolve."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Jackson Police Department's
Gang Enforcement Unit and the Jackson Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit
investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell and Hillary Lawler
Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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