After spending 32 years incarcerated, Wershe was released from prison in Florida, on July 20, 2020 having completed his sentence with credits for good behavior. But we are sure that it is not available and his spouses name is not available. -The Atavist Magazine, Rick's sister Dawn was dating a small-time criminal named Terrence Bell and she had become involved with crack cocaine. As a result of the FBI sting operation and Wershe's involvement, 18 corrupt police officers and politicians went to prison. All the things I guess you expect after 32 years.". Police had found the drugs stashed near Wershe's house after a traffic stop. Wershe Jr. grew up in a lower middle-class household in East Side of Detroit. Wershe and his sister Dawn remained with their father, Richard Wershe Sr. (Matthew McConaughey in the movie) in the small brick house on Hampshire Street at Dickerson Avenue, seven miles from downtown. In the spring of 1984, FBI agents knocked on the Wershes' door, intending to gather information from Rick's dad. According to Deadline Detroit, Rich, who is in his 30s, has a white-collar job. The FBI, in turn, began to train the young Wershe Jr. on how to be a gangster. But a lot of people seem to feel and see I had a rough deal. While not the central focus, Wershe does appear on the show in a recurring capacity.[17]. Starting at 14 years old, Richard worked as an informant for the FBI, passing on intelligence regarding multiple drug traffickers in the city of Detroit during the 1980s. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I was brought into this life by law enforcement, Richard Wershe Jr. reported to Vice, I was taught it, they left me alone, and a year later Im busted and put in jail for life.. The same offense today would only carry a max sentence of three years in prison. Both Wershe Jr. and Dawn chose to live with their father at their small brick house on Hampshire Street at Dickerson Avenue. The order came down the pipe that the nation didnt want to deal with another news story about a corrupt mayor: Washington didnt want another Marion Barry, the Washington D.C. mayor who had recently been caught dealing crack. The film has received mixed reviews from critics, but there's nothing mixed about the reaction from Wershe's sister, Dawn Scott, who expressed frustration over her family's portrayal in anexclusive interview with WXYZ in Detroit. British actress Bel Powley portrays Dawn in the film, which hit theaters nationwide on Sept. 14. Wershe Sr. had initially contacted the FBI to seek their help with his daughter, who, by then, had a severe drug problem. Wershe spent nearly three decades behind bars in Michigan for a non-violent drug offense. Learn more. The baby-faced little white boy, the news said, wasnt just a drug dealer. It was wonderful. The guy's girlfriend came home and called 911 when she saw Wershe writhing on the floor. He had an affair with Johnnys wife, Cathy Volsan, who was an influential figure in Detroit at the time, being the niece of Mayor Coleman Young. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Date Published: 5/10/2022. His connection with the Curry family immensely helped him in his pursuit to gather more and more information on the drug activities in his neighbourhood and the city at large. Before he went, he told both the police and the federal agency about him. His wife, Cathy Volsan (Mayor Coleman Young's niece), 24, began having an affair with Wershe, then 17. Wershe spent nearly three decades behind bars in Michigan for a non-violent drug offense. "I was on one for a week, and it's the most traumatic part of almost 30 years in prison.". This was near the peak of the War on Drugs. I wasnt doing all that well at the time. About. Rick Wershe's Charity Food Drive - Summer 2018. The FBI investigated Gil Hill's possible role in the cover up, but no charges were ever brought against Hill. When he followed up with the FBI, Hughes found out that Wershe was telling the truth. It was Wayne County Circuit Judge Dana Hathaway who later found no reason to keep Wershe locked up in Michigan, and today emotions were running high after his release. (He's) happy, healthy and excited (and) emotional. -Documentary, Yes. Instead of helping him, they made sure he was sent away for life. Under the much-criticized 650-Lifer Law, Richard was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, despite being a non-violent offender. Yes. I don't agree I committed the crime that I was convicted of.". -White Boy Documentary. It was a bit of stretch. They wanted information. View our online Press Pack. They controlled the drug operations in Wershe Jr.s neighbourhood in Detroits East Side. Other Curry gang members arrived to the home before the ambulance and attempted to load Curry into the backseat of a car, possibly to dump him somewhere. I became addicted to the women. The author and historian has kept in touch with Wershe over the years and has studied his case extensively. It was one reason why Wershe Sr. didn't want to leave the crack-ridden neighborhood. According to Deadline Detroit, Rich, who is in his 30s, has a white-collar job. Thats why her height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc are unavailable on the internet till today. While Michigan repealed the 650-Lifer Law that handed Richard Wershe Jr. a life sentence, he was still in prison long after other offenders were released. "I never set out to make Rick look like a bigger drug dealer than he was," says investigative journalist Chris Hansen, who helped popularize the White Boy Rick persona. Instead, he remained incarcerated in Michigan for 29 years. "We heard that he was tellin', so they said, 'We got to kill that white boy.'" No, at least not according to Rick's real-life sister, Dawn. In 2014, freelance writer Evan Hughes read Wershes outlandish claims about a conspiracy that had put him behind bars and started to look into whether they were true. There was even an assassination attempt on Wershe Jr. by former professional hitman Nathaniel Craft, who later revealed that he was employed by police detective Gil Hill to kill Wershe Jr. to prevent him from speaking about police corruption in Detroit. Richard Wershe Jr. was sent to prison for life at 18-years-old. It was a felony charged while he was still behind bars. Further investigate the White Boy Rick true story by watching the Richard Wershe Jr. documentary below. Other than that offense, he has been described as a model prisoner. Source: Instagram. Richard Wershe Sr. tried to get the FBI to help his son but they refused to say a word. A Florida clemency board has denied an early prison release for the man known as "White Boy Rick," once one of the FBI . "My son became sick on power, the excitement, the prestige, the money, and the glamour of selling. He was then transferred to a Florida prison because of a crime he committed while behind bars in Michigan. Timeline photos. This came up at Richard Wershe Jr.'s 2017 hearing. [3][16], Eminem plays Wershe on the TV show BMF. White Boy Rick knew this was because Johnny Curry was connected to Detroit Mayor Coleman Young; in fact, the king of Detroit crime, Johnny Curry, dated the mayors niece Cathy Volsan. Wershe says that the FBI barely scratched the surface of how deep the corruption ran, and releasing him meant that the truth might come out. She eventually remarried. informant at age 14. It was at a time when the hysteria surrounding the War on Drugs in the U.S. was nearing its peak. Young man, Richard Wershe, Jr., 14, begins dealing on the streets. Rick Wershe had already taken a bullet to the stomach from another Curry Gang member. Richard Wershe is also called White Boy Rick. Wershe Jr. has stated that although his father knew that he was still meeting with the FBI, he never realised how far the agency had gotten him involved with the Curry brothers. Many feel that it would have helped him avoid such harsh prison time. Both had worked for Chrysler for four decades. Reporters and the police broadcasted the teenager all over the news with headlines that called him the leader of a drug cartel. To put a 14-year-old boys life at risk wasnt exactly FBI protocol but White Boy Rick as Wershe then began to call himself was too useful to let go. To them, he was too young to be an informant. All rights reserved (About Us). White Boy Rick also has two daughters and six grandchildren. As a result of both the impending film and the White Boy documentary that had just been released, interest in Wershe Jr. had been on the rise, so much so that a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections was on hand doing live TV interviews before 7 a.m. on the morning of the 9 a.m. hearing. According to retired FBI agent John Anthony, White Boy Rick was the most productive informant for the agency at the time. According to the White Boy documentary, he did go to stay with his mother for the eighth grade when he was 13, but he didn't get along with her new husband and he was still in contact with his dad. He also bought and sold firearms, selling guns illegally on the black market, often out of his house. They came with an envelope full of pictures and hoped that Richard Wershe Sr. would recognize the faces. He directly bought cocaine from a Miami-based supplier named Art Derrick. Caption: Keisha Wershes dad Richard and Michelle. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Wershe, now 52, spent three. Jul 18, 2017. [7], The name "White Boy Rick" was not a street name that Wershe used himself, nor was it one he was ever called by those with whom he associated. His attorney, Ralph. In addition to driving a Jeep that blatantly referenced his life as an up-and-coming cocaine dealer, Richard Wershe Jr. wore chains and tracksuits, a belt made of gold, a mink coat (given to him by Johnny Curry), and a Rolex with diamonds encircling it. White Boy Rick is also a grandfather of six grandchildren. He was very thrilled," McDonald said. Wershe's son, Richard Williams who goes by simply Rich W is a University of Michigan graduate. Wershe barely survived and left the hospital with a colostomy bag. F.B.I. Wershe's life story was turned into a true-crime documentary called "White Boy" that was picked up by Netflix. He was only 14 years old at the time. On paper, they recorded White Boy Ricks tips under his fathers name. At the age of 14, the FBI taught Wershe how to deal drugs and planted him inside one of the citys most dangerous gangs. Cover photos. It wont be easy. I have been made to feel welcome and accepted. It was journalism that saved him. DETROIT -"White Boy Rick" has hit the big screen. He was an FBI informant when he was 14 to 16 years old. From the moment he started high school, he was pulled away from a normal life and dragged into a life on the streets. Additionally, he has a white-collar job. "I'm sorry to tell ya that the legend of White Boy Rick is just not true." Through him, he gained access to the Curry brothers and their lavish lifestyle. Her date of birth and other information related to her family and educational background is unknown. Click On Detroit/WDIV/YouTubeRick Wershe Jr. in prison. At present, Wershe Jr. is kept at the Reception and Medical Center state prison in Lake Butler, Florida and is scheduled to be released in 2020. His Girlfriend/boyfriends name is Not Available. My palm prints weren't on it." Starring newcomer Richie Merritt and Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey, the film tells the incredible true story of Richard (White Boy Rick) Wershe, Jr., the longest-serving non-violent juvenile. All I can do is try to be the best man I can from this day forward, Wershe says. AKA Richard Wershe Jr.'s daughter, Kiesha Wershe, is a well known drug supplier. [8], He was sentenced to life in prison in Michigan under the state's 650-Lifer Law, a drug statute passed in 1973 that penalized those found in possession of more than 650 grams (23 ounces) of cocaine or heroin with life imprisonment without parole. Rick hadn't been spending time with Curry yet, but he knew who the operators were in the neighborhood. His dissatisfied daughter, Dawn, leaves their home, leaving Rick alone with his son, Ricky. Home. They were seen stepping out together but Wershe says that the relationship was tumultuous. Wershes attorney argued the vans are dangerous and inhumane, as Wershe had made the trip to Florida by prison van once before. Craft, years later, told reporters: I was told to kill White Boy Rick. After 32 years in detention, he is back with his long-term fiance Michelle MacDonald, whom he has been dating since high school. But where is the equity in a system that puts non-violent criminals away while killers walk free?, Read more: White Boy Rick Wershe Jr. to return to Metro Detroit after release. Richard was born into a working-class family in a neighborhood on Detroit's east side. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. View: 9187. Steve Garagiola, ClickOnDetroit [9][10][11][12] In 2019, his application was denied by the Florida clemency board. They were relics of a time when Detroit was booming. He has a sister, Dawn, who is about three years older than him. And his father had sold some of them guns. It began airing on the Starz network in 2019 and was picked up by Netflix in April 2021. -The Atavist, According to former hitman Nathaniel Craft, he says that he was hired by homicide detective Gil Hill to take out Richard Wershe Jr. so that Wershe couldn't confess to what he knew about corruption in the police department, including the cover up of Damion Lucas' murder. Moreover, it is known that Richard has two daughters and one son named Richard Williams. We have no more information about his spouse. He believes that the Detroit Police Department and city officials were against his release because he had helped the FBI expose dirty cops. The remark was made when White Boy Rick appeared in court for possessing multiple kilos of cocaine. For other inquiries, Contact Us. "They said, 'Listen, this is what we're going to do. Though Rick didnt know it, there was a price on his head. "I cant take it back." This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Eventually, he began dealing, not under Johnny's watch, but on his own, and his trajectory was set.He started bringing in more and more money from selling drugs, eventually cutting out the middle men and having cocaine delivered directly from suppliers in Miami. (He's) happy, healthy and excited (and) emotional. Rick Wershe Jr. began to see the corruption when a 13-year-old boy was shot by the Curry Gang and the Detroit police did nothing about it. Voice quavering, Rick Wershe Jr., who as a teen in 1980s Detroit was painted as a murderous drug kingpin, dabbed his eyes recalling one of the last conversations he had with his father, who he'd . Like Matthew McConaughey's character in the movie, Richard Wershe Sr. was a tall, wiry man who came up with different ways to make money, including selling surplus electronics, sporting goods, satellite-TV equipment, and devices to pirate cable TV. The parole board was well-aware of the Matthew McConaughey movie, which had been filming in Las Vegas the night before the hearing. Richard Wershe Sr. didnt have any answers but his 14-year-old son, Richard Wershe Jr., knew every name. After less than a year, his father convinced him to come back to the East Side. He spent over three decades in prison, not getting the chance to spend time with his family. After Richard Wershe Jr. is paroled in Michigan, he'll immediately be transferred to prison in Florida, where he's expected to spend the next 3 years and 8 months. He's very frank about it. Today is a great day for truth, a great day for justice, a great day for vindication, Burnstein said when Wershe was released in July 2020. RELATED: Richard 'White Boy Rick' Wershe officially free after more than 32 years. Richard Wershe Jr. was arrested in his home in 1988 with 17 pounds of cocaine. It was a significant amount, but it wasn't the hundreds of kilos that Detroit's drug kingpins were moving at the time. He was a witness for the FBI when he was between 14 and 16 years old. The Wershes were paid roughly $35,000 in informant fees, despite it being technically illegal to use a child as an informant. He also sold illegal guns. . Dawn was doing crack cocaine while Wershe Jr., accompanied by Bell, began committing burglaries. "I became addicted to the lifestyle," says the real Richard Wershe Jr. "I became addicted to the money. The more time he spent with Boo, the more encounters he had with Boo's older brothers, including Johnny Curry. Wershe is a father of two daughters and a son. Ricks information had gotten the drug lord locked up behind bars and White Boy Rick began to take his place. "Everything went as planned. According to one anonymous FBI agent, the agency was ordered to let the mayor go. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. White Boy Rick also has two daughters and six grandchildren. No one knows," says Wershe. In 2016, a notorious former Detroit hitman alleged Hill had once tried to commission the murder of Wershe. The mothers name is Not Available. He was locked up at the age of 17, to originally serve a life sentence under a law since ruled. In one of the meetings with WXYZ, Michelle said that everything went according to plan and that Richard was happy, solid, full of energy and enthusiastic. Free Richard Wershe Jr Rick S Daughter And Oldest Grandson Facebook He was arrested of a drug crime and spent 32 years in prison.. Advertisement Kiesha Wershe is the daughter of the famous. But when Wershe uncovered a police corruption problem that ended with the mayor of Detroit, the men who trained him cut him loose. 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