Darnell Bishop, Handgun Theft and Kidnapping, Michigan 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — In a brazen crime, Darnell Bishop, 33, of Benton Harbor, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Bishop's actions, if successful, would have flooded the streets of Benton Harbor and beyond with illegal firearms.

Bishop was charged along with his codefendant, Dontrell Nance, for the theft of 123 handguns from the Benton Harbor Dunham's Sports. The duo 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 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.

The defendant's plea deal includes a maximum possible penalty of life in prison. This 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.

“Today’s plea is the best-case scenario for our industry partners and their innocent employees,” said Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “The message continues to be clear: There is no place in our community for illegal firearms traffickers and those who choose to target and victimize business owners and employees who are just trying to provide for their families.”

Dontrell Nance, Bishop's codefendant, previously pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2024.

“Today's guilty plea confirms that justice has been served, and Mr. Bishop will be held accountable for the heinous crimes committed against the victim and the victim's place of work,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.

“My office is laser focused on those few individuals driving gun violence in our communities, including active shooters and gun traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners for their swift investigative work that put a stop to this criminal scheme.”

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2024_0702_Bishop_D_Plea