U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced today that Dontrell Nance, 25, of Benton Harbor, has been sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Gun violence is a national epidemic, and my office is focused on the handful of offenders driving gun violence in communities across our District,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The quick, coordinated actions by law enforcement kept 123 handguns from flooding our streets and further spreading this scourge and the trauma it brings.”
Nance was charged along with his brother and co-defendant, Darnell Bishop, for the theft of 123 handguns from Benton Harbor’s Dunham’s Sports. Bishop and Nance kidnapped the store manager from outside his home using a pistol, took him to another location, and coerced him into providing the alarm code for Dunham’s. Bishop then went to the store and stole 123 pistols, which he carried away in two large coolers. Law enforcement has since recovered all the firearms.
Bishop previously pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence earlier this month. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 25, 2024.
“This sentencing is the consequence of a bad actor who possessed illegal firearms and posed a significant threat to the safety of the community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The collaboration with the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force and our other law enforcement partners exemplifies the effectiveness of teamwork. I am thankful for the prompt actions of the men and women of the Detroit FBI Field Office, which undoubtedly saved lives.”
This case was investigated by multiple agencies including Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI.
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