CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The ‘Prince’ of the Mafia Insane Vice Lords, James Silas, was handed a 35-year sentence for his role in a massive heroin distribution conspiracy that terrorized Tennessee and beyond.
BEGINNING IN 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) utilized court-authorized wiretaps to uncover Silas’ involvement in an interstate heroin ring. The DEA’s probe led them to the Chicago-based gang leader, who was eventually apprehended in Illinois and transported for trial to the Eastern District of Tennessee.
After a five-day jury trial, Silas, 51, from Dolton, Illinois, was convicted on November 13, 2018. The sentencing hearing revealed that as the ‘Prince’ of the Mafia Insane Vice Lords, he orchestrated a network of heroin distributors across cities like Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Atlanta.
Witnesses described how Silas supplied his underlings with ‘Chicago Gray,’ a potent form of heroin in high demand. The gang’s operations were so lucrative that tens of thousands of dollars were funneled from Tennessee to his Illinois residence. Judge Curtis L. Collier ordered Silas to forfeit $600,000, the proceeds from his illegal drug trafficking.
U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey emphasized the importance of tackling drug abuse and overdose deaths in Tennessee. ‘Today’s sentencing is a testament to our commitment to prosecuting those who distribute these deadly drugs,’ said Overbey.
Brett R. Pritts, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Nashville District Office, commended law enforcement partners for their relentless pursuit of drug traffickers and gang members fueling the nation’s opioid crisis. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the DEA, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and local and federal agencies in Chicago.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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