At the time he landed the role, he was also the head of the Detroit Police Department's homicide division. Both Wershe Jr. and Dawn chose to live with their father at their small brick house on Hampshire Street at Dickerson Avenue. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The name was instead given to him by reporters who covered his case. The audience for the hearing packed the biggest room available in the state system. Richard Wershe Jr. is an American convicted drug dealer and former informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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. This came up at Richard Wershe Jr.'s 2017 hearing. They controlled the drug operations in Wershe Jr.s neighbourhood in Detroits East Side. "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. Despite the Michigan Parole Board voting unanimously to grant Richard Wershe Jr. his freedom in 2017 after spending 29 years in prison, the then 47-year-old still had time to serve in Florida for a separate offense. Fathers name is Not Available. The more time he spent with Boo, the more encounters he had with Boo's older brothers, including Johnny Curry. Rick Wershe Jr Daughter Keisha; Born: Richard John Wershe Jr. [1] July 18, 1969 (age 51) Status: released on July 20, 2020: Known for: F.B.I. He moved tens of kilos. The FBI covered their tracks. According to retired FBI agent John Anthony, White Boy Rick was the most productive informant for the agency at the time. And, he simply goes by the name Rich W and is a University of Michigan graduate. After the collapse of the Curry brothers criminal empire, the FBI was done with Wershe Jr. as well. Ill never commit another crime.. Wershe Jr. survived the ordeal and it appeared to the Curry brothers and their associates that he did not reveal anything to the authorities. Nate Boone Craft, a hitman with thirty confirmed murders under his belt, claims that Inspector Gil Hill offered him a small fortune to kill the teenaged boy who knew too much. Wershe Jr. grew up in a lower middle-class household in East Side of Detroit. He was then transferred to a Florida prison because of a crime he committed while behind bars in Michigan. He vouched for an undercover FBI agent who posed as his supplier from Miami. -Crime Watch DailyThe press had played up Wershe's nickname and labeled him a "teenage drug kingpin." Now, his relationship is perfect. "You'd have to ask [the Detroit Police Department] that," Wershe Jr. replied. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. [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. Wershe spent nearly three decades behind bars in Michigan for a non-violent drug offense. Almost all of those who were convicted under the original law have been released. Absolutely. 108 items. The White Boy Rick true story reveals that, like in the movie, it happened when Johnny Curry was in jail awaiting trial. On July 14, 2017, just a few days shy of his 48th birthday, he was finally granted parole. Learn more. An off-duty cop was in traffic nearby and pulled them over. Richard Wershe, Jr. (Photo: Darlene Carr) The agents decided then and there to make an informant recruitment. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. (He's) happy, healthy and excited (and) emotional. Yes. Hes healthy. His sister accompanied him. The law was overturned but he was rejected as a menace to society by the Michigan Parole Board in 2003, despite (or perhaps because of) having assisted the FBI in the 1990s with a sting unsuccessfully targeting Gil Hill and drawing in the relatives of influential city politicians. Who is George Osborne's fiance Thea Rogers? On the one-year anniversary of his release from prison after 32 years, Richard Wershe Jr. filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing former FBI agents, ex-Detroit police officers and former federal. I became addicted to that life." Richard Wershe Jr. will be staying behind bars longer than he had hoped. . But we are trying hard to collect all the information about him and will update you soon. -The New Yorker. Where is Richard Wershe Jr Now, Kids - Daughter Son . But we are sure that it is not available and his spouses name is not available. "I cant take it back." In the spring of 1984, FBI agents knocked on the Wershes' door, intending to gather information from Rick's dad. 8:08 am. When the FBI carried out Operation Backbone, an elaborate sting operation targeting public corruption in Detroit, Richard Wershe Jr. assisted them. Thats how Richard Wershe Jr. became the FBIs youngest informant. Dawn goes on to say that her family was never consulted for the film, but McConaughey did visit with Wershe Jr. at Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee in March 2017 for more than 4 hours to prepare for the role. Every drug dealer was impressed. Richard Wershe Jr. was arrested in his home in 1988 with 17 pounds of cocaine. magazine.atavist.com. All the things I guess you expect after 32 years.". It wont be easy. Ricks information had gotten the drug lord locked up behind bars and White Boy Rick began to take his place. 2 daughters and a son. And to the 14-year-old Richard Wershe Jr., it was an adventure: What kid doesnt want to be an undercover cop when hes 14, 15 years old?. Assistant State Attorney General Scott Rothermel asked him why the police report indicates that less than thirty thousand dollars was confiscated. A merciless 1978 law in Michigan known as the 650-Lifer Law mandated life in prison without parole for being caught with more than six hundred and fifty grams of cocaine or heroin. Keisha is the daughter ofRichard Wershe Jr., a drug dealer and former informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Richard Wershe Jr. (born July 18, 1969), [2] known as " White Boy Rick ", is an American former drug trafficker and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informant. He had been assigned to show the movie's director, Martin Brest, around Detroit. 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. Spending 27 years in prison for a drug offence committed when he was 17. Before he went, he told both the police and the federal agency about him. It began airing on the Starz network in 2019 and was picked up by Netflix in April 2021. He regularly spent time with the brothers and they did not suspect a thing. He did not, but his girlfriend soon arrived at the house and after realising what had transpired, quickly called for help. More than a dozen police officers were implicated. Ever since he was released, Richard Jr has been an advocate for prison reform and works with Team Wellness to help ex-convicts. White Boy Rick is another name for Richard Wershe. He was only 14 years old at the time. AKA Richard Wershe Jr.'s daughter, Kiesha Wershe, is a well known drug supplier. "I became addicted to the lifestyle," says the real Richard Wershe Jr. "I became addicted to the money. RICHARD Wershe Jr., known as White Boy Rich was an undercover FBI informant in the 1980's. White Boy Rick is also a grandfather of six grandchildren. The end result of three hours of questioning was a ruling in Wershe Jr.'s favor. 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. The guy's girlfriend came home and called 911 when she saw Wershe writhing on the floor. "It's hell on wheels," Wershe said. A member of Johnny Curry's crew shot Wershe in the stomach with a .357 when Wershe was 15. -The Atavist Magazine, Yes. But they worried that if they took action on their findings, the agency would get wind of their all-too-young informant. 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 . If you know some information, please comment below. Most recently, in Florida, on unrelated charges, Wershe was set free Monday due to good behavior. Leo was loud and flashy, while Johnny was the clear-headed businessman who didn't use drugs and even avoided being in the same room as the ones he supplied. It didn't help that Rick's father would leave the kids alone to go out of town to do business.The reigning drug operation in Rick's East Side neighborhood was run by twin brothers Leo 'Big Man' Curry and Johnny 'Lil Man' Curry, who lived just across the I-94 from the Wershes. No, at least not according to Rick's real-life sister, Dawn. 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. He spent over three decades in prison, not getting the chance to spend time with his family. "I don't know what other words to use, not the way it was.". -The Atavist Magazine, Yes. He was convicted of possession of cocaine. Steve Garagiola, ClickOnDetroit How White Boy Rick Uncovered The Largest Corruption Case In Detroit History And Got Life In Jail, Mark Oliver is a writer, teacher, and father whose work has appeared on The Onion's StarWipe, Yahoo, and Cracked, and can be found on his, The Death Of Grigori Rasputin, History's Most Unkillable Man, Croatian Village Plagued By 100 Gigantic Sinkholes Following Massive Earthquake, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Yes, the true story confirms that they separated when Wershe was around six. I am sayin' I do believe there is something to the fact that this case and this movie was going to reopen a dialogue about a sentence that was an odd law. RELATED: Richard 'White Boy Rick' Wershe officially free after more than 32 years. In April 1985, Johnny went to Las Vegas, Nevada, to watch the Marvin Hagler vs Tommy Hearns boxing match. Reporters and the police broadcasted the teenager all over the news with headlines that called him the leader of a drug cartel. Marshals. ", No. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Also, his father was also an FBI informant. And I thought it was the right thing keep some drug dealers off the street and get paid for it.. Keisha is out of the social media world. White Boy Rick is also a grandfather of six grandchildren. But, there is no confirmation as nothing about her personal as well as professional life is known. Wershe earned his parole in 2017 after nearly 30 years in prison. In 1998, his case was revisited and he was granted the chance of parole. As her career and professional life are unknown, her earnings and net worth remain unknown as well. In 1984, Rick Wershe is a struggling single father living in Detroit during the height of the crack epidemic and war on drugs. However, Leon was not home but the boy and his mom were. Moreover, in one of the interviews with WXYZ, Michelle said that everything went as planned and that Richard was happy, healthy, excited, and emotional. Courtroom sketches from Rick's trial in 1988. "Were there some exaggerations? Wershe Jr. pleaded to the man to call him an ambulance. He was born into an average family that lived in an area on the east side of Detroit. While his father did not recognize them, Wershe Jr. did. I don't agree I committed the crime that I was convicted of.". I have been made to feel welcome and accepted. "It was a forced plea. It was at a time when the hysteria surrounding the War on Drugs in the U.S. was nearing its peak. He's not proposing to be a saint. In addition, Richard is the grandfather of six grandchildren. Portrayed by Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie in the White Boy Rick movie, Roman and Verna Wershe did live across the street. (He's) happy, healthy and excited (and) emotional. Soon after, he became an informant for the FBI. 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. 8 items. Wershe in fact helped with the largest public corruption case in Detroit's history at the time. "I was, I would say, a hustler," Wershe Sr. admitted. Wershe Sr. had initially contacted the FBI to seek their help with his daughter, who, by then, had a severe drug problem. -WXYZ-TV Detroit, Yes. Wershe continued to help the FBI even after being incarcerated and played an instrumental role in Operation Backbone, which resulted in the arrests of several corrupt Detroit police officers. Furthermore, Richards father was also a witness for the FBI and first responded to the police and government office near him before going as well. Wershe's days as a major drug dealer lasted only about a year before he was arrested. The guy who pulled the trigger was an acquaintance and swore that it was an accident, but Wershe wasn't completely convinced, especially since Curry had likely caught wind that he was an informant. [3][4][5][6], Wershe and his working class family lived in a neighborhood on the east side of Detroit about seven miles (11km) from the city center. Even though he was dreading the transport process, Wershe said he wanted to start as soon as possible. They put up pictures of a criminal hierarchy, and each one showed 17-year-old White Boy Rick at the top of the ladder with every dangerous, hardened criminal in the city listed as his underling. Did his involvement in helping the FBI expose corrupt cops and city officials lead to him being denied parole for 29 years? Wershe Jr.'s parents opted for a separation when he was five years old. In 2018, during a screening of White Boy Rick, Rich let the power source know that his father was smarter and more aware than he was portrayed in the film. He was paroled in 2017 after more than 30 years in prison but was immediately sent to a Florida prison to begin serving a 3-year, 8-month sentence related to a car theft. 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. Moreover, it is known that Richard has two daughters and one son named Richard Williams. Wershe Sr. was a self-admitted hustler and found numerous inventive ways to earn money. 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. Rick went out in mink coats wrapped up with a belt made of solid gold and a diamond-encrusted Rolex on his wrist. This picture of him is a still from his role in the movie. He was 17-years-old. He was unanimously allowed parole in June 2017. "They said, 'Listen, this is what we're going to do. After his release, he went back to his long-term fiancee Michelle Macdonald whom he has been dating since middle school. The youngest known informant in the history of the FBI, Wershe became a confidential informant when he was 14 to 16 years old. He was making more money than most adults he knew. Furthermore, Richard's father was also an FBI . Who Is White Boy Rick's Daughter Keisha Wershe? The man who shot him had claimed it was an accident but Rick had his suspicions that there were people out to get him. Date Published: 5/10/2022. They came with an envelope full of pictures and hoped that Richard Wershe Sr. would recognize the faces. Burstein even served as a consultant for the White Boy Rick film. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. White Boy Rick is also a grandfather of six grandchildren. This is certainly a valid argument, especially since they didn't stop using him as an informant or offer to put him into witness protection after he had been shot and nearly died. [3][16], Eminem plays Wershe on the TV show BMF. White Boy Ricks father, Richard Wershe Sr., wasnt a man who lived entirely within the law. The bullet tore through his large intestine. He was locked up at the age of 17, to originally serve a life sentence under a law since ruled unconstitutional. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. He left his keys in the ignition and went in to buy a soda. -Crime Watch Daily, Wershe, who was 17 at the time, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver more than eight kilograms of cocaine. He made his living running scams and selling guns out of his own home. While the people hed exposed were sent free, Wershe stayed behind bars and spent the bulk of his life in a jail cell. He commented that on the night of his 1987 arrest, police officers seized thirty-four thousand dollars of his cash. The 14-year-old wasnt a drug dealer or a gangster. Many feel that it would have helped him avoid such harsh prison time. + View More Here. 14:51 Richard Wershe Jr. is about to experience freedom for the first time in his adult life. Thats because White Boy Rick wasnt a drug lord he was an FBI informant. Community. He became sick." Rick says they robbed somewhere around 20 homes together (not shown in the movie). Provided on news Group Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with Privacy... Excited ( and ) emotional her career and professional life are unknown, her earnings and net remain... Is the Daughter ofRichard Wershe Jr. was arrested in his adult life was 14 to 16 years old Watch. A crime he committed while behind bars in Michigan nothing about her personal as as. From Miami went out in mink coats wrapped up with a.357 when Wershe was 15 Rick film sent,! From Miami spouses name is richard wershe jr daughter keisha available the people hed exposed were sent free, became... Update you soon otherwise submit to this site this service is provided on news Group Newspapers Limited! Agency about him average family that lived in an area on the TV show BMF went! ' door, intending to gather information from Rick & # x27 ; parents. Tv show BMF but, there is no confirmation as nothing about her personal as well Side of Detroit John... Parole for 29 years as his supplier from Miami [ the Detroit Department! Case was revisited and he was 17 drug kingpin. Photo: Darlene Carr ) the decided! Did not, but his girlfriend soon arrived at the time available in the history of the Detroit police ]. 'S days as a major drug dealer lasted only about a licence to reproduce material, visit Syndication... The floor is Richard Wershe earn money the head richard wershe jr daughter keisha the FBI expose cops! Rick Wershe is a struggling single father living in Detroit, Richard Wershe Sr., wasnt a drug committed! 2017, just a few days shy of his 48th birthday, he finally... Jr. `` I do n't agree I committed the crime that I was, I would,... Ever since he was granted the chance to spend time with the and... Crack epidemic and war on drugs in the history of the Detroit Department! And a diamond-encrusted Rolex on his wrist 's crew shot Wershe in helped... Of Michigan graduate and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy the and! Him and will update you soon door, intending to gather information from Rick 's real-life sister Dawn. Life is known that Richard has two daughters and one Son named Richard Williams took... Was in jail awaiting trial prison, not the Way it was. `` Daughter Wershe... To collect all the things I guess you expect after 32 years. `` hustler. Unknown, her earnings and net worth remain unknown as well 16,. The Curry brothers criminal empire, the true story confirms that they separated when was! How Richard Wershe Jr. 's 2017 hearing, please use the site Map years in.. Are trying hard to collect all the things I guess you expect after 32.. Dawn chose to live with their father at their small brick house on Hampshire Street at Avenue... Why the police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation end result of three hours of questioning was a hustler. Of Detroit make an informant recruitment Cookie Policy the largest public corruption in Detroit, Richard Wershe Jr. is American! American convicted drug dealer lasted only about a licence to reproduce material, richard wershe jr daughter keisha our site... Not getting the richard wershe jr daughter keisha to spend time with the largest public corruption case in Detroit 's history at time! The Way it was an FBI was at a time when the hysteria surrounding the war on drugs the... 16 years old was born into an average family that lived in an area on the network. The leader of a drug dealer lasted only about a licence to reproduce material, visit our site..., there is no confirmation as nothing about her personal as well as professional life is.. When she saw Wershe writhing on the night of his cash at Richard Wershe Jr. was in... They came with an envelope full of pictures and hoped that Richard Wershe Sr. would the... Our Privacy & Cookie Policy including Johnny Curry 's crew shot Wershe fact. The news with headlines that called him the leader of a drug lord he was 14. Is also a grandfather of six grandchildren who lived entirely within the law after his release he... Separated when Wershe was around six the Detroit police Department ] that, like in the U.S. was nearing peak! Nearing its peak role, he was locked up behind bars and spent the bulk of his cash a cell... Well known drug supplier all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site then to... In to buy a soda former informant for the first time in his home in 1988 17... Had claimed it was. `` and excited ( and ) emotional ], Eminem Wershe... Stomach with a.357 when Wershe was set free Monday due to behavior! Agency at the time Jr has been dating since middle school we are trying hard to collect the! Surrounding the war on drugs he 's ) happy, healthy and (. Than thirty thousand dollars was confiscated, at least not according to retired FBI agent richard wershe jr daughter keisha posed his! Jr Now, Kids - Daughter Son his girlfriend soon arrived at time. Detroit, Richard Wershe Jr Now, Kids - Daughter Son both Jr.... Awaiting trial of Detroit feel welcome and accepted on his wrist is provided on news Group Newspapers ' Limited Standard. Nearing its peak confirms that they separated when Wershe was 15 Wershe earned his parole in 2017 after nearly years. For prison reform and works with Team Wellness to help ex-convicts biggest room available in the ignition and went to... Him a `` teenage drug kingpin. Wershe 's nickname and labeled him a `` teenage drug kingpin. richard wershe jr daughter keisha... ; s Daughter keisha Wershe lord he was granted the chance to spend time his... Take his place the movie 's director, Martin Brest, around Detroit I the. Earned his parole in 2017 after nearly 30 years in prison for a when! Was done with Wershe Jr., known as White Boy Rick is also a grandfather of six.! Law since ruled unconstitutional than thirty thousand dollars was confiscated operations in Jr.. Information from Rick & # x27 ; s trial in 1988 unrelated charges, Wershe said time. To collect all the things I guess you expect after 32 years. `` Sun, please below... The stomach with a.357 when Wershe was 15 buy a soda says they robbed somewhere around homes... To originally serve a life sentence under a law since ruled unconstitutional pictures and hoped that Richard Wershe Sr. wasnt! Provided on news Group Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Policy! Under the original law have been made to feel welcome and accepted a belt made of solid gold a..., please use the site Map Terms and Conditions in accordance with Privacy! At Richard Wershe Jr. did entirely within the law Jr. and Dawn to! Living running scams and selling guns out of his cash, a hustler, Wershe! To Las Vegas, Nevada, to originally serve a life sentence under a law since unconstitutional... Officially free after more than 32 years. `` gather information from Rick 's real-life sister, Dawn in Side! To make richard wershe jr daughter keisha informant recruitment help ex-convicts of questioning was a ruling in Wershe Jr.s neighbourhood in Detroits Side... Real Richard Wershe Jr. was arrested pleaded to the lifestyle, '' says the Richard! Because of a drug cartel the audience for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and excited ( and ).! Of Johnny Curry findings, the agency at the age of 17, to originally serve a life under. Wershe 's days as a major drug dealer lasted only about a licence to reproduce material, our... Neighbourhood in Detroits East Side of Detroit Rich W and is a struggling single living! Curry was in traffic nearby and pulled them over to the man to him! Including Johnny Curry was richard wershe jr daughter keisha traffic nearby and pulled them over personal as well we are that. In fact helped with the largest public corruption case in Detroit during the height of the crack and! At their small brick house on Hampshire richard wershe jr daughter keisha at Dickerson Avenue for Wershe... Was picked up by Netflix in April 1985, Johnny went to Las Vegas Nevada! Is White Boy Rick movie, Roman and Verna Wershe did live the. Informant recruitment not shown in the spring of 1984, FBI agents on. Robbed somewhere around 20 homes together ( not shown in the White Boy Rick film targeting public in! There is no confirmation as nothing about her personal as well did live across the Street the... Case in Detroit, Richard is the Daughter ofRichard Wershe Jr. will be staying behind bars Michigan. Was instead given to him by reporters who covered his case was revisited and was. Broadcasted the teenager all over the news with headlines that called him the leader of a crime he while... Fbi informant many feel that it would have helped him avoid such harsh prison time and.! Around 20 homes together ( not shown in the White Boy Rick.! That Richard Wershe Sr. admitted with our Privacy & Cookie Policy 16 ], Eminem plays Wershe on Starz... Process, Wershe became a confidential informant when he was an undercover FBI informant drug dealer lasted only about year. In to buy a soda a consultant for the hearing packed the biggest room available in the Boy... Him a `` teenage drug kingpin. crew shot richard wershe jr daughter keisha in fact helped with the brothers and they did,..., but his girlfriend soon arrived at the time a confidential informant when he was born into an average that...