Doniel A. Heard, 37 of Canton, pleaded guilty on Oct. 29, 2019, to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D'Antuono of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division (FBI), John C. Mullaly, Chief of Police of the Genesee Township Police Department, and David S. Leyton, Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney.
Heard entered the guilty plea before United States District Court Judge Linda V. Parker.
In his guilty plea, Heard admitted that at the time of the assault he was the leader of a Michigan set of the national Bloods street gang. Believing that the 15-year old victim had disrespected two fellow gang members, Heard and three other gang members beat and robbed the boy. After the beating, the other gang members held the boy down while Heard used a large knife to carve the name of the local Bloods set, “MOB 662," into the boy’s chest. The 15-year old victim suffered permanent bodily injury as a result of the assault.
“This was a vicious attack on a 15-year old boy by a violent street gang. This type of senseless violence will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to bring the full force of federal law upon gang members who seek to destroy our communities with violence and intimidation," stated United States Attorney Schneider.
“The reason for this callous and violent crime was as senseless as the brutality of the assault itself," said FBI Special Agent in Charge D'Antuono. “This investigation sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners throughout Michigan will not stand by as gangs attempt to terrorize our community, and that those involved in violent gang activity will be brought to justice."
Heard faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for March 4, 2020 before Judge Parker in the United States District Court in Flint. Two other gang members who participated in the assault are also scheduled to be sentenced that day. Talasha Willis, a gang member who also participated in the assault, was sentenced in May of this year to 100 months in federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Genesee Township Police Department and special agents of the FBI, with assistance from the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Rawsthorne, Ann Nee, and Anthony Vance.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
