United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DETROIT, MI - - Four Detroit men were sentenced last week by United States District Judge Robert H. Cleland to serve 143 years collectively after having pled guilty to charges of murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The sentencings were announced by United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade, Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso of the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), and Chief Ronald Haddad of the Dearborn Police Department.

Sentenced were Derrick Young, 25, who received 60 years in prison, Darryl Pierce, 26, who received 28 years in prison, Frank Pierce, 38, who received 21 years in prison, and Clarence Jackson, 24, who received 34 years in prison.

According to court records, in January of 2006, Derrick Young, assisted by codefendants, Frank Pierce, Darryl Pierce, Clarence Jackson and Rudolph Williams, kidnapped and handcuffed the victim in this case, Antonio Brown. Together, the five defendants transported Brown to a location in Dearborn, Michigan, where Derrick Young shot and killed Brown. The killing is believed to have been over a drug dispute.

"The conviction of these five defendants demonstrates our commitment to attacking violent crime head on,” McQuade said. "Removing paid killers from our community is essential to protecting public safety." The U.S. Attorney's office commended the work of the DEA and the Dearborn Police Department in bringing justice for the family of Antonio Brown.

"This crime exemplifies the violence and dangers associated with drug trafficking right here on the streets of southeast Michigan. These individuals committed murder, driven by greed, in order to further their drug conspiracy,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso. “Our community is safer with these individuals behind bars. The DEA appreciates the cooperation and hard work put in by the officers of the Dearborn Police Department, who deserve much of the credit for the successful conclusion of this murder investigation."

“The Dearborn Police will continue to work with U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade and our Federal Law enforcement partners to remove dangerous individuals from our community," said Dearborn Police Chief Haddad.

Co-defendant Rudolph Williams will be sentenced on February 10, 2011. The case was investigated by the DEA, working in conjunction with the Dearborn Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch.