Press Release
Contact:
PHILLIP J. GREEN
ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY
PHONE: (616) 456-2404
GRAND RAPIDS GANG MEMBERS SENTENCED TO HARD FEDERAL TIME IN
CASES ARISING FROM INVESTIGATION INTO DOWNTOWN SHOOT-OUT
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008 -
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – Dwight Jerome Latham, age 23, was sentenced to life in
prison, following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack” cocaine), and
Michael Sallie, age 21, was sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment, following his conviction
for firearms violations, U.S. Attorney Charles R. Gross announced today. Latham must serve the
entire life sentence, as there is no parole in the federal system. In addition to his twelve-year
prison sentence, Sallie was ordered to serve five years of supervised release. Latham was
sentenced by the Hon. Paul L. Maloney, U.S. District Judge in Kalamazoo. Sallie was sentenced
by the Hon. Robert Holmes Bell, Chief U.S. District Judge in Grand Rapids.
Both Latham and Sallie are from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they were associated with the “Highland’s Finest” gang. Both faced federal charges as a result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crime-Fugitive Task Force and the Grand Rapids Police Department into a shooting incident outside the Brick House Bar in downtown Grand Rapids on July 2, 2007, that resulted in the death of Darryl Thompkins.
Sallie pled guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, that being, the July 2, 2007, driveby shooting outside the Brick House Bar. Sallie received a reduction in his sentence as a result of his cooperation with the government, which included disclosing the location of an SKS 7.62 x 39mm semiautomatic rifle used during the shooting incident. Forensic evidence indicated that at least thirty rounds from the SKS rifle were fired in the direction of the Brick House Bar. The forensic evidence also indicated that at least three other firearms were fired during the shoot-out outside the bar between members of Highland’s Finest and the Bemis Boys gangs. In addition to the death of Mr. Thompkins, at least five other victims were treated at the hospital for gunshot wounds.
Latham was convicted of his drug conspiracy charge following a five-day trial in Kalamazoo, in January of this year. The jury heard evidence the investigation uncovered relating to Latham’s drug trafficking activities with other individuals, some of whom were members of local gangs. The jury also heard evidence of Latham’s involvement in the Brick House shooting itself, including the discharge of the SKS rifle. The jury, however, acquitted Latham of being a felon in possession of that firearm. But as a result of his conviction on the federal drug offense, Latham faced a mandatory life sentence under federal law due to his prior record. Latham’s prior adult felony convictions included three incurred in the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, Michigan: (1) possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in 2001, (2) possession with intent to distribute an imitation controlled substance in 2002, and (3) fleeing and eluding a police officer in 2004.
Sallie had incurred at least four prior adult felony convictions: (1) attempted receiving and concealing a motor vehicle in 2003; (2) maintaining a drug house in 2005; (3) carrying a concealed weapon in 2005; and (4) possession of cocaine in 2005. All four convictions were incurred in the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County.
U.S. Attorney Charles R. Gross praised the coordinated investigative efforts of the FBI and the Grand Rapids Police Department. He also noted the importance of cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement in addressing the growing problem of violent crime by gangs, including drug trafficking. “It was only through the tireless and coordinated efforts of the various law enforcement agencies that these cases were successfully prosecuted. I hope these sentences send a clear message to those who peddle drugs to our children and commit violent crimes in our neighborhoods that there will be a high price to pay.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Lennon and Phillip J. Green.
END
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