DETROIT, MI – A rising Detroit rapper, Marcellus Wallace, also known as “Baby Grizzley,” is headed to federal prison after a late-night traffic stop exposed a cache of illegally possessed firearms and a desperate attempt to buy his way out of trouble. Wallace, 25, received a 57-month sentence yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge stemming from a December 8, 2020 incident.
The trouble began when Royal Oak police pulled over a white Maserati, its headlights extinguished, late at night. Inside, Wallace and his associate, Nolan Dasgupta-Francis, 25, of Detroit, were riding in the back seat. Officers quickly noticed open containers of alcohol – two red solo cups – and both men claimed they weren’t the owner of the drinks. When police initiated a search of the vehicle, the situation rapidly escalated. The search uncovered not one, but two fully loaded semiautomatic pistols on the floorboard where Wallace was seated, and two more near where Dasgupta-Francis was sitting.
Both Wallace and Dasgupta-Francis were already on state parole at the time, adding another layer of legal jeopardy. But Wallace didn’t stop there. While being transported in a police vehicle, he allegedly attempted to bribe the driver of the Maserati with a staggering $20,000 to take the blame for the guns. This offer came just after Wallace had reportedly signed a record deal, netting him a cool $300,000 in cash. A clear illustration of priorities, and a failed attempt to leverage newfound wealth.
Federal authorities weren’t impressed. U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison made it clear that individuals illegally wielding firearms contribute directly to the violence plaguing communities. “We will continue to prosecute those who violate our gun laws,” she stated. Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the ATF’s Detroit Division echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to stopping violent criminals from acquiring firearms. Dasgupta-Francis also faced justice, receiving a 45-month federal prison sentence.
This case, a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), highlights a focused effort to reduce violent crime by targeting repeat offenders and bolstering community-based prevention programs. Wallace’s conviction is particularly noteworthy, coming less than two months after his release from state prison following a robbery conviction. Both Wallace and Dasgupta-Francis still face parole violation hearings with the Michigan Department of Corrections, potentially adding more time to their sentences.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Detroit office of the ATF and the Royal Oak Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Terrence R. Haugabook and Tare Wigod of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit prosecuted the case. The message is clear: in Detroit, illegally possessing firearms – and attempting to cover it up with cash – will land you a lengthy stay in federal prison.
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