TALAHASSEE, Fla. (WWJ) - Richard Wershe Jr., better known as 'White Boy Rick,' served 32 years behind bars on drug charges in Michigan. Now he could be freed from a Florida prison ahead of schedule.
The 49-year-old has been imprisoned in Florida since being granted parole in Michigan back in 2017. At that time, he owed 22 months to the Sunshine State, after credit for time served, for a racketeering and conspiracy charge to move stolen cars in the state.
An attorney for Wershe was in court for a clemency hearing Wednesday.
"I think it's fair to say that Richard Wershe has paid his debt to society, and then some," his attorney told the court. "Frankly, I don't think the taxpayers of Florida benefit from him being behind bars for one more day."
"He's been a model prisoner, has an incredible support group; and I'm really blown away, frankly, but his positive attitude."
While Wershe did not appear at today's hearing, in attendance were retired FBI agents who traveled to Florida to testify on Wershe's behalf.
They note that Wershe's cooperation with the FBI led to a number of arrests -- and he's never been recognized for that.
"A great injustice has been done," said retired agent Herman Groman, who explained why he thinks Wereshe was imprisoned in Michigan for so long."I believe in part, the larger part, the reason for this is because of his cooperation with me on public corruption matters," said Groman.
The Florida Office of Offender Review did not indicate how it would rule, saying only that it would take the request under advisement.
Wershe is currently scheduled to be released in October 2020.
Wershe’s story made headlines around the world when, at the request of Detroit police and FBI agents, he infiltrated local drug gangs and turned in evidence that convicted 14 dealers and gangsters.
His attorney claimed that, as a direct result of Wershe’s help, the FBI was able to infiltrate a gang of Detroit cops that was transporting drugs from the Wayne County Airport to the streets of the city’s east side.
Wershe was long denied parole as the longest-serving non-violent juvenile in the state's history.
A 2018 movie about his life starred Matthew McConaughey.