This came up at Richard Wershe Jr.'s 2017 hearing. They lived there during a period from the mid 1980s to early 1990s when Detroit and many other major American cities were gaining widespread reputations for crime and violence, largely due to an influx of cocaine and the emergence of the crack cocaine epidemic. "Everything went as planned. 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. As described above, this included "the cocaine king" Johnny 'Lil Man' Curry (portrayed by Jonathan Majors in the movie). Wershe was arrested but the cop never showed up for the trial. My palm prints weren't on it." The youngest known informant in the history of the FBI, Wershe became a confidential informant when he was 14 to 16 years old. Craft, years later, told reporters: I was told to kill White Boy Rick. They controlled the drug operations in Wershe Jr.s neighbourhood in Detroits East Side. In Mayor Youngs city, to get Curry into trouble was dangerous for himself and bad for his business. Who is Keisha Wershe? Wershe pleaded guilty in 2006 to being involved in a car theft ring. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. He is working to enjoy the life he never had due to his conviction as a teenager, but hes still wondering why he had to spend so much time in prison. -Documentary, Yes. Also, we have no information about his son and daughter. Convicted murderers came and went while Wershe was behind bars for possession. The FBI had nobody to blame for this new drug lord but themselves. [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. -White Boy Documentary, Yes. He also sold illegal guns. Therefore, it was a crime convicted while he was still behind the bars. Under the law at that time, it was supposed to cost him the rest of his life, which is just ridiculous. The film starring Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey tells the fact-based story of Richard Wershe Jr., a Detroit teenager who became an undercover informant for the FBI during. informant at age 14. Public DomainRichard Wershe Jr.s 1988 mugshot. Rick Wershe Jr Daughter Keisha Morris Photos And Names; . The explanation could be for welfare or safety reasons. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. White Boy Rick is also a grandfather of six grandchildren. The Curry gang was upset that Leon, who had promised the Curry crew tickets to the Hearns vs. Hagler fight in Las Vegas, didn't follow through (White Boy Rick was in Vegas with the Curry crew). Dawn and Rick's grandparents are also in the film. On July 14, 2017, just a few days shy of his 48th birthday, he was finally granted parole. -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. 108 items. Is it peculiar that he gets released same year that we're makin' a movie that shines a little spotlight on him? Despite this, he was relocated to Florida State Prison to serve another sentence for his involvement in a car theft ring. Rick bought a house down the street and kept selling drugs, mainly crack cocaine. And, it was back in the year 1987 when Richard was arrested for possessing cocaine in excess of eight kilograms (18 pounds). They came with an envelope full of pictures and hoped that Richard Wershe Sr. would recognize the faces. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. He was 17-years-old. The FBI even gave Rick Jr. a fake ID and paid for an April 1985 trip to Las Vegas so that he could gather more intelligence on Curry. About a year later, he moved back in with his father. Johnny was one of the most powerful drug lords in Detroits underworld and Wershe Jr. constantly provided information on him and his criminal empire. 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. In the summer of 1984, FBI agents came to their house and started showing pictures of the Curry brothers and their associates. Wershe had driven his grandmother's car to a gas station, and his sister Dawn drove another car. The answer could be one that the city still isn't willing to face. Wershe Jr. first became acquainted with Rudell "Boo" Curry, the younger brother of Leo and Johnny. As stated in the White Boy documentary, one of those lawyers went on to become one of the officials who petitioned to deny Wershe's chance at parole in 2003, his one and only hearing until 2017. All the things I guess you expect after 32 years.". His attorney, Ralph. At that time, this personality was just 17 years old. He had been assigned to show the movie's director, Martin Brest, around Detroit. Keisha Wershe is known for being the girl of renowned street pharmacist Richard Wershe Jr. Richard Wershe Jr. is an American street pharmacist and a former witness for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Even now, the only trade Wershe knows is crime. (WXYZ) After serving 32 years and seven months, Richard "White Boy Rick" Wershe Jr., left Kissimmee, Florida with his head high. Wershe barely survived and left the hospital with a colostomy bag. The bullet tore through his large intestine. It was one reason why Wershe Sr. didn't want to leave the crack-ridden neighborhood. When he was asked what t will be like when he hangs out with his father after his release he responded: "Honestly, I don't know, we've got some catching up to do.". [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. He said, 125,000, Ill make sure you get it as long as that boy is dead. His keyword, Dead. This came from Gil Hills mouth to me.. But they worried that if they took action on their findings, the agency would get wind of their all-too-young informant. He was making more money than most adults he knew. Richard Wershe is also called White Boy Rick. Richard was born in a working-class family that lived in a neighborhood on the east side of Detroit. Young man, Richard Wershe, Jr., 14, begins dealing on the streets. One of the first scenes of the film, which is also featured in its trailers, shows a strung-out Dawn fighting with her father in the street in her underwear. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. In addition, Richard is the grandfather of six grandchildren. AKA Richard Wershe Jr.'s daughter, Kiesha Wershe, is a well known drug supplier. It was embarrassing but getting shot gave Wershe street cred. But according to Dawn, just about all of the family dynamics portrayed in the movie are wrong. He believes that the Detroit Police Department and city officials were against his release because he had helped the FBI expose dirty cops. Richard was born into a working-class family in a neighborhood on Detroit's east side. The judge's implication is that the drugs Wershe supplied destroyed lives and likely resulted in deaths.Wershe has claimed that his FBI handlers pushed him into the drug trade to serve their own ends. I wasnt doing all that well at the time. 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. 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. After he turned 12, he briefly stayed with his mother. "We were very overwhelmed," McDonlad said. If you know some information, please comment below. The case had grown exponentially. 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. Wershe Jr. was a weight man, not a full-fledged kingpin. "I'm sorry to tell ya that the legend of White Boy Rick is just not true." He now has a recreational marijuana business called The 8th. This plays out a little differently in the movie, with them running out of a restaurant and shooting at the carjacker while standing the parking lot. Yes. We have no more Information about his Father; we will try to collect information and update soon. 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. Richard Wershe Jr has filed a $100m (73m) lawsuit against former FBI agents and prosecutors, alleging child abuse in connection with his time as an informant. . Johnny Curry was history. Supporters say Wershe's cooperation against corrupt public officials proved to be the reason for a conspiracy of lies to keep him inside. He did not, but his girlfriend soon arrived at the house and after realising what had transpired, quickly called for help. Local 4 News every morning. Did I do something wrong? 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. The 14-year-old wasnt a drug dealer or a gangster. At the age of 17, Wershe was arrested for possession of 8kg of cocaine and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. 7 facts about the 14-year-old FBI informant", "White Boy Rick's Parole Hearing and Drug War Lessons Unlearned", "Here's Where White Boy Rick Is Now, Years After His FBI Involvement", Rick Wershe Jr. released from prison after more than 30 years, "Former informant 'White Boy Rick' sues FBI for $100m", "See Matthew McConaughey fail tragically as a dad in exclusive 'White Boy Rick' trailer", "Eminem Set to Play White Boy Rick in Starz's 'Black Mafia Family', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Wershe_Jr.&oldid=1139467193. He was then transferred to a Florida prison because of a crime he committed while behind bars in Michigan. Hed roll up in a white jeep he was too young to legally drive, with The Snowman emblazoned on the back. Assistant State Attorney General Scott Rothermel asked him why the police report indicates that less than thirty thousand dollars was confiscated. "We were portrayed in the film aslow-class dirt poorscuzz bags," she said. He added that Wershe's dad, Richard Wershe Sr., who was played by Matthew McConaughey, was portrayed too positively, almost heroic at times. His dissatisfied daughter, Dawn, leaves their home, leaving Rick alone with his son, Ricky. White Boy Rick, a film based on his life, was released on September 14, 2018. Ever since he was released, Richard Jr has been an advocate for prison reform and works with Team Wellness to help ex-convicts. Richard Wershe Jr. was born on July 18, 1969, in Michigan to Richard Wershe Sr. and Darlene McCormick. He was forced to find a way to navigate the streets and make ends meet without the FBIs protection, which wasnt easy. A close childhood friend of Rick's said that in the case of Rick's father, the almighty buck ranked above morals. He has three children, including a son named Richard Williams. While his father did not recognize them, Wershe Jr. did. 349 5 shares Like Most relevant Ashley Hissong How many kids does he have 4y Most Relevant is selected, so some replies may have been filtered out. 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. 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. British actress Bel Powley portrays Dawn in the film, which hit theaters nationwide on Sept. 14. In September 2018, Local 4 shared a special documentary report on the life of Wershe, the now infamous figure in Detroits drug scene in the 1980s. Wershe says that he was given new lawyers who had worked for Mayor Coleman Young. "We were very overwhelmed," she had toldWXYZat the time. 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. All I can do is try to be the best man I can from this day forward, Wershe says. Wershe in fact helped with the largest public corruption case in Detroit's history at the time. Wershe Jr. survived the ordeal and it appeared to the Curry brothers and their associates that he did not reveal anything to the authorities. Reporters and the police broadcasted the teenager all over the news with headlines that called him the leader of a drug cartel. Wershe Sr. was rapidly losing his hold on both of his children. 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. I told on the wrong people, Wershe confessed. In Detroit in the 80s, everyone knew when White Boy Rick was around. The Wershes were paid roughly $35,000 in informant fees, despite it being technically illegal to use a child as an informant. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. He added that Wershe's dad, Richard Wershe Sr., who was played by Matthew McConaughey, was portrayed too positively, almost heroic at times. He's one of the few people I've met in jail that doesn't say, 'I'm innocent.' He essentially goes by Rich W and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. They went down and met, and he said he gave Gil ten grand to cover up the kid's murder." Fact-checking the White Boy Rick movie confirmed that he had dropped out of high school by the spring of 1985, prior to his sixteenth birthday. Ill never commit another crime.. Nate Boone Craft, the convicted hitman who claims he was hired to kill Rick Wershe Jr. Richard Wersher Jr. during his parole hearing. Inspector Hill and Mayor Young, though, would walk away free. Yes. Eventually, this was mostly information about the Curry Brothers, including their role in the accidental April 1985 death of a 13-year-old boy in a drive-by shooting and intel on their organization's drug houses. The former FBI informant at age 14, now starts his life over as an adult. It was at a time when the hysteria surrounding the War on Drugs in the U.S. was nearing its peak. He has stayed quiet for weeks, but that changed when he spoke to the Daily Mail about his past month as a free man. However, she might be dating or might be married and might also have kids. They were seen stepping out together but Wershe says that the relationship was tumultuous. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Eddie Marsan, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, White Boy Rick Documentary & Related Videos, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. 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