Cedric Rice, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Michigan 2023

Cedric Rice, a 40-year-old Grand Rapids resident, has been sentenced to 42 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney also imposed a period of supervised release of 3 years to follow.

On April 8, 2019, Grand Rapids Police responded to a 911 call that Rice had pointed a gun at a woman and her mother. As police stopped the car carrying Rice, he jumped out and fled on foot. During his escape, Rice dropped a cell phone and hid a .40 caliber Sig-Sauer pistol in a woodpile. He then ducked into a home, changed his clothes, and denied being the person with the gun.

Rice pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2019 and admitted to possessing the gun. His extensive criminal history began in 1999 with illegally carrying a firearm in Chicago. In 2000, he was convicted of delivering cocaine. He was also convicted of assault in 2002, and hindering and resisting police in 2002 and 2003.

In 2007, Rice was convicted in federal court and sentenced to serve 106 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm while facing federal charges. In 2017, he was convicted of domestic violence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Grand Rapids Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced the sentencing.

In sentencing Rice to 42 months' custody, Judge Maloney expressed concern for Rice's dangerous conduct and history of illegally possessing guns. The case highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and the consequences of breaking the law.

The sentencing brings an end to this case, but it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and crime in our communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2020_0617_Rice