Richard Wershe Jr., Formerly “White Boy Rick,” Announces Legal Action Against FBI Agents, Detroit Police One Year After His Release From Jail

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DETROIT – Richard Wershe Jr. is suing FBI agents, Detroit Police and others a year after his release from prison.

Wershe, formerly known as “White Boy Rick,” was released from a Florida jail in July 2020, ending his 32 years behind bars that began after a drug trafficking arrest at 17 in 1987. He became the oldest non-violent juvenile delinquent. in Michigan history.

Now he is prosecuting those he believes responsible for his imprisonment, accusing them of child abuse.

“Having worked undercover for the FBI and Detroit Police from his childhood at the age of 14, Wershe is the youngest FBI informant in this history of this nation,” read a statement from attorneys representing Wershe at Ayad Law, PLLC. “The government used Wershe as a 14-16 year old, putting him among gangsters, killers, drug dealers and plunging him into the world of drug dealing, then all of them turned on him to cover up the illegal and embarrassing nature of their conduct.

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The complaint is filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District. The lawsuit seeks $ 100 million in damages because it claims Wershe was coerced into helping police when he was an unsuspecting teenager.

Wershe, now 52, returned to Michigan after being released from a Florida jail on July 20, 2020. He has kept a low profile since his release, but spoke at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Look, the justice system hasn’t been fair to me for the past 33 years. I hope now that this is the last book, where I can close this chapter, continue my life. But I think it had to be done. I think the truth absolutely had to be told. I think the people who did this to me should be held responsible, ”he said. “I don’t blame the people who are in power now. I don’t blame the US attorney’s office which is here now. I blame the people of the past, those who did it to me – retired FBI agents, retired officials (Detroit Police), the retired American lawyer who published my testimony in front of the great jury.

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Richard Wershe Jr. speaks out one year after his release from prison

Reread: “White Boy Rick” Wershe breaks silence after being released from prison

How Wershe got behind bars for so long

In 1988, Wershe was sentenced to life in Michigan under the state’s “650-Lifer Law,” a drug law that penalized those found in possession of more than 650 grams of cocaine or of heroin with a heavy sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Wershe was released on parole in 2017 after nearly 30 years in prison. He was released from Oaks Correctional Facility in Michigan in April 2017 and turned over to the US Marshals.

He was later transferred to a Florida jail for a crime he committed while behind bars in Michigan. Wershe pleaded guilty in 2006 to being involved in a car theft ring.

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Why did Wershe have to spend time in Florida?

While in a Michigan jail, Wershe introduced his sister, Dawn, to a car salesman. He turned into a stolen car ring, and Wershe pleaded guilty to protect his sister and mother from criminal charges.

“They said, ‘Look, this is what we’re going to do. If you don’t accept this plea, we will arrest your mother and your sister, ”Wershe said. “It was a forced plea. I do not agree that I committed the crime for which I was convicted.

When he was released from prison in Michigan in 2017, Wershe walked out of prison and directly entered a prison transport van. Wershe’s attorney argued that the vans were dangerous and inhumane because Wershe had previously made the trip to Florida in a prison van.

“It’s hell on wheels,” Wershe said. “I took one for a week, and it’s the most traumatic part of almost 30 years in prison.”

Even though he dreaded the transport process, Wershe said he wanted to start as soon as possible. He was eager to take another step towards his final release.

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Detroit Historian: “White Boy Rick” Wershe’s Release From Prison “Well Overdue”

Detroit-based organized crime historian and real-life perpetrator Scott Burnstein has said the end of Wershe’s decades-long sentence is “well overdue.”

“Today is a great day for truth, a great day for justice, a great day for vindication,” Burnstein said upon Wershe’s release in July 2020.

The author and historian has kept in touch with Wershe over the years and has studied his case extensively. Burstein even served as a consultant for the movie “White Boy Rick”.

The real perpetrator believes Wershe was jailed for an unfair length of time, especially since he was government-groomed at such a young age.

“Contrary to popular belief, Rick was not sentenced to pivotal status,… racketeering,… (or) continuing criminal enterprise status – Rick was arrested at the age of 17 during the ‘a routine traffic stop where they found cocaine, “Burnstein said.” Under the law at the time, it was supposed to cost him the rest of his life, which is just ridiculous.

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‘White Boy Rick’ the Hollywood movie

A film based on his life titled “White Boy Rick” was released on September 14, 2018. Matthew McConaughey starred as Richard’s father, Richard Wershe Sr.

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Watch: White Boy Rick weighs in on film

After: Former Detroit hitman wants ‘White Boy Rick’ released from prison

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