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Five With Ties To “Vice Lords” Gang Arrested For Trafficking Drugs and Stolen Weapons

Release Date: December 29, 2004

Quick action by Metro Gang Unit Officers has led to the arrest of five people suspected of being involved in a scheme that included illegal drugs and stolen weapons.

All five suspects are documented members or associates of the “Vice Lords” gang. One of those arrested claims to be the “Overseer” of the gang.

It all began just after 9 p.m. on December 21, 2004. Two Metro Gang Unit officers were patrolling a neighborhood in the south-east Memphis area. Officers had information that gang activity and illegal drugs were being bought and sold in the neighborhood.

The officers noticed a car with its engine running parked along the curb near a home at 2393 Pecan Circle. Two men were in the car and several juveniles were seen standing near-by. As officers pulled up to the vehicle, the two men inside ran from the car. The driver escaped. As he ran away, he tossed down a bag containing cocaine. Officers then quickly caught up with the passenger of the car.

After searching the car, officers found cocaine and marijuana on the front floorboard. Deadrick Robinson, 22, who lives at the address on Pecan Circle, was arrested for possession of the drugs.

Later that same night on December 21, officers visited an apartment in south-east Memphis thought to be connected to the drug operation. Clary Lee, 22, was taken into custody after investigators found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and several weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns and handguns at the apartment. Officers say some of the weapons were stolen recently from a pawn shop in Southaven, Mississippi.

Then, last night, Metro Gang Unit Officers arrested Raymone Windless, 36, of Memphis, driving a vehicle near the intersection of Lapaloma near Dunn Avenue. Nothing was found in the vehicle. However, officers say he was arrested for having cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the house were he was staying on Alcy Road.

Fugitive Deputies had gone to the house to serve an arrest warrant on another person who lived there. Willie Simpson, 35, an associate member of the “Vice Lords,” was wanted for non-payment of child support. When he answered the door, officers observed cocaine in the house. A search warrant was issued by the Shelby County Narcotics Unit which also yielded some marijuana.

Finally, early this morning, just after midnight, officers caught up with the driver of the car who ran from them on December 21st. Lapedro Finley, 26, of Memphis, was taken into custody at house in the 4000 block of Canada Road.

Finley claims to be the lead “Overseer” of the “Vice Lords.” He was arrested on federal narcotics charges associated with the investigation.

Willie Simpson	Lepedro Finley	Deadrick Robinson
Raymone Windless	Clary Lee

This case involves several investigative units including the Metro Gang Unit, Project Safe- Neighborhoods Unit, Shelby County Narcotics Unit, Shelby County Fugitive Division and the Shelby County S.W.A.T. Team.

 

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