After a week-long federal trial, Anthony Zigler, a member of the Almighty Vice Lords Nation (AVLN), was found guilty of Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (VCAR). Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck made the announcement, with James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), also participating.
The trial's evidence revealed that the AVLN engaged in widespread criminal activities, including violence and drug dealing. Zigler, a member of the Conservative Vice Lord branch, was convicted for a violent prison stabbing committed to maintain or increase his gang status. During the attack, Zigler used a prison-made knife to repeatedly stab the victim in the head, neck, and abdomen, resulting in punctured lungs. The jury's verdict could lead to Zigler facing up to 20 years in federal prison.
Acting United States Attorney Beck expressed satisfaction with the outcome, attributing the conviction to the collaboration between attorneys, ATF, and the Detroit Police Department. "The thorough and dedicated work of attorneys in our office combined with the detailed investigation done by our ATF and DPD partners convinced a jury to find a violent and dangerous gang member guilty of serious crimes. With this conviction, our community is safer. Our district’s approach to violent crime investigations and prosecutions works,” Beck stated.
ATF Special Agent James Deir emphasized the significance of the verdict, declaring, “Yesterday’s verdict proves once again that the Almighty Vice Lord Nation has been crippled locally and nationally. Their dismantling is another example of how senseless violence is being dealt with in Detroit." He continued, "The ATF and our federal, state and local partners will continue to target violent gang members wherever they operate."
This case marks the third trial in the Eastern District of Michigan associated with the Almighty Vice Lord Nation over the past year and a half. Previous convictions included three gang leaders in November 2023 for RICO conspiracy, and additional gang members for similar charges in April 2024.