A Benton Harbor man faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that 25-year-old Dontrell Nance has pled guilty to the crime that happened in Benton Township in November 2023. The attorney’s office alleges during that crime, Nance and another suspect, Darnell Bishop, attempted to steal more than 120 handguns from Dunham’s Sports.
Announcing the plea agreement, Totten said Nance admitted that he and Bishop kidnapped the Dunham’s manager from outside the manager’s home using a pistol, took him to a second location, and convinced the manager to provide keys and the alarm code for Dunham’s. Nance said he stayed with the manager while Bishop went to the store, returning with the handguns packed in two large coolers.
The case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI.
“The increasing prevalence of illegal firearms poses a significant threat to the safety of our citizens,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.
“The disruption of this scheme undoubtedly prevented numerous deaths. This case exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration and coordination, and I am thankful for the prompt actions of our law enforcement partners, particularly the members of the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force.”
The U.S. Attorney’s office says law enforcement has since recovered all 123 firearms.
Co-defendant Bishop has pled not guilty to kidnapping, interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. At this point, that case appears headed to trial.
