Alleged Gang Punishment Turns Deadly

A Tipton County man, charged in connection with the beating death of his fellow gang member, faced a judge on Tuesday.

25-year old Quintin Weathers was in court, charged with 2nd degree murder for the August 5th death of alleged fellow gangster disciple, Mica Jefferson. Lt. Shannon Beasley with the Tipton County Sheriff's Office said, "Gangster Disciples are probably our oldest gang that's been here the longest in Tipton County, we're aware of."

Beasley can't comment directly on the case but is familiar with the Gangster Disciples and what happens when a member breaks the rules, "When they serve their violations they're beating them 5-6 minutes, cover up or no cover up."

Fox 13 has learned the Gangster Disciples allegedly met at a home on the 100 block West Main in Munford, August 5th, where they accused Jefferson of stealing money from the gang.
But investigators think Jefferson's violation went too far.

Fox 13 was told the victim confessed to taking the money and accepted his punishment at which point his fellow gang members allegedly beat him to death. "Some of the violations don't allow to hit in the head depends on what they did, head shots, that's where it can become deadly and violent,” said Beasley.

Beasley estimates there are between 500 and 600 gang members in Tipton County, at any given time. So far, he's identified 9 different gangs, responsible for 15 to 20 shootings in the last couple months.

Now he organizes monthly gang assessment meetings with law enforcement agencies throughout West Tennessee, "You have People Nation and Folk Nation is what it boils down to. They are enemies and right now it's all about drug and turf wars, who's going to control it."

Although Weathers is the only person charged with Jefferson's death, prosecutors believe more are involved. If found and convicted, they could all get 5 years tacked on to their sentence, just for being in a gang.

Beasley said, "We have to aggressively go after them and use enhancement on gang members who commit crimes get more time in prison."

If you have any information about this crime call Tipton County Crimestoppers at 901-476-4411. Weathers was still in jail on $100,000 bond.