Detroit Man Sentenced for Dealing Drugs While on Supervised Release for Dealing Drugs

DETROIT – A Detroit man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for dealing dangerous drugs while on pretrial release for another drug and firearm offense pending in state court, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Rickey Butler, age 40, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge Denise Page Hood.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 4, 2022, Butler—who was then on a GPS tether for controlled substance and weapons offenses—possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Butler also possessed a Glock firearm, which he used to protect the narcotics. Butler admitted to police that he had been selling drugs for approximately eight years before he was apprehended in this case.  

“All too often,  guns and drugs go hand in hand—and both are causing far too many deaths in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to remove illegals guns,  drug dealers, and other drivers of violent crime out of our neighborhoods.”

“This sentencing shows the unwavering commitment by the FBI and our law enforcement partners to remove traffickers who conspire to distribute harmful drugs in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in narcotics trafficking to safeguard Michigan’s streets and communities.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the Livonia Police Department and Detroit Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Lanning.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.