Vice Lord Gang Member Convicted of Drug and Gun Charges

A member of the Vice Lord criminal street gang is facing a minimum of eighteen years in prison following multiple convictions obtained at trial today by prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit. Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald secured convictions against Ronald James Turner, 19, for Possession with Intent to Sell Cocaine in a Drug Free Zone, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Judge Steve Sword revoked Turner’s bond and set the case for sentencing in January.

At trial, ADA Fitzgerald explained to the jury that on January 3, 2015, Knoxville Police Department Officer Thomas Turner stopped a vehicle for speeding in the area of Lilac Avenue and Fern Street. The Defendant was a passenger in the vehicle. Ofc. Turner recognized the Defendant from previous encounters and knew that the Defendant had outstanding warrants for his arrest. When Ofc. Turner arrested the Defendant on the outstanding warrant, he discovered a loaded 9mm handgun in the Defendant’s waistband and a cigarette pack in his possession containing multiple bags of crack cocaine. Additionally, Knox County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Tom Walker testified that Ronald Turner is a member of the Vice Lord street gang.

“Time and again, my prosecutors have shown that gang activity does not pay,” said DA Charme Allen.”This Defendant will now spend at least eighteen years in prison because he chose to join a gang, deal drugs, and carry a gun.” Because of the nature of the crimes involved, the Defendant is facing a sentence between eighteen and twenty-eight years in prison with the first eighteen years to be served at one hundred percent.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.