Three men affiliated with the New Orleans-based Byrd Gang have been found guilty of a series of charges, including RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms conspiracy, and particularly for the violent killing of two individuals during a revenge attack in 2017. Terran Williams, Tyrone Bovia, and Javonta Doleman were convicted on April 21, following a two-week jury trial presided over by United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo. The verdict was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson.
The fatal incident occurred shortly after Lawrence Williams, IV, and Wynston Jackson had exited an Edna Karr High School basketball game. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Williams and Jackson were sitting in a car when the trio, along with other gang members, launched an ambush, fatally shooting the pair. During the attack, Jackson attempted to fend off the attackers with his nine-millimeter pistol but ultimately succumbed to his injuries alongside Williams, who died later at the hospital.
The vendetta between Byrd Gang and the rival Ghost Gang is said to have been prolonged by social media provocations, rap music, and videos, contributing to a cycle of reprisal that has exacted a heavy toll on both gangs and bystanders. The evidence presented at trial depicted a grim picture of these violent rivalries that have led to numerous shootings leading to multiple deaths.
Recovery of large caches of firearms and ammunition from Byrd Gang members, including from the convicted trio, underscores the prevalence of gun violence within these disputes. The three men now face mandatory life sentences for their roles in what is classified as Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (VCAR) murders; their sentencing is scheduled for July 30. The successful prosecution of these individuals was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence, with community and law enforcement cooperation.
The combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, specifically the New Orleans Gang Task Force, and the New Orleans Police Department were lauded by the Acting U.S. Attorney, as they played critical roles in bringing the case to a close. The dedicated work by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera, David Haller, and Sarah Dawkins was also highlighted as key in the successful prosecution of these offenders.
