Rashad Trice Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Kidnapping Resulting In Death Of Wynter Cole-Smith

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Rashad Maleek Trice was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping resulting in the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

          “Today we have achieved a measure of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We can’t bring back the precious life of Wynter Cole-Smith, but we can do our best to ensure her killer is found guilty and spends the rest of his life in prison, which is what we’ve done today.”  Totten continued: “I am so grateful to the hundreds of officers from over two dozen law enforcement agencies who came running to join the statewide search for Wynter Cole-Smith. Their commitment to protect and serve was overwhelming.”

          According to the initial complaint, on July 2, 2023, a woman reported to the Lansing Police Department that she had been attacked by Trice and ultimately fled her apartment to escape him. When police responded to her apartment, Trice and the woman’s daughter, Cole-Smith, were no longer present. A white Chevrolet Impala had also allegedly been stolen. On July 3, police attempted to stop the white Chevrolet Impala in St. Clair Shores and the driver attempted to flee. Police apprehended the driver, Trice, but Cole-Smith was not in the car. Cell site information showed the approximate path Trice’s phone had recently taken, which prompted law enforcement to start conducting searches for Cole-Smith in specific areas. On July 5, 2023, law enforcement found Cole-Smith’s body in Detroit. On March 22, 2023, U.S. Attorney Totten announced that Trice pled guilty to the charge of kidnapping resulting in death.

          “Our hearts still break for little Wynter.  She should still be here,” stated U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dawn N. Ison.  “The tireless search and coordination by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the state, over several days, to bring her home safely, truly demonstrated the committed, collaborative effort with which we work every day to protect and serve our citizens. Although nothing will bring little Wynter back, I hope her family takes some solace in that effort and today’s sentence.”

          “This was a senseless tragedy that shook our community to its core,” said Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus. “While nothing can replace the loss of Wynter Cole-Smith, I hope today’s sentencing offers some solace to Wynter’s family who have endured unimaginable pain. I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and his team.”

          “The sentencing of Rashad Trice is the direct result of an exhaustive investigation conducted by members of the FBI in Michigan, our law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western Michigan,” stated Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.  “The collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners underscores the power of teamwork.  While this may not provide immediate closure to the family of Wynter Cole-Smith, we are hopeful it will begin the healing process.  Rashad Trice will spend the remainder of his life in prison, and we are optimistic this sentencing will serve as a deterrent, preventing another family from enduring the pain experienced by Wynter Cole-Smith's family.” 

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Doaa Al-Howaishy and investigated by the FBI and Lansing Police Department, along with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Air Marshal Service, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michigan State Police, Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety, Michigan Department of Corrections, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, Eaton County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Public Schools Community District Department of Public Safety, Eastpointe Police Department, St. Clair Shores Police Department, Bloomfield Hills Police Department, Dearborn Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, West Bloomfield Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Northville Township Police Department, and Clinton Township Police Department.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan issued the previous press releases in this case:

• July 7, 2023 – U.S. Attorney Totten Announces Federal Charges in the Kidnapping of 2-Year-Old Wynter Cole Smith.
   
• July 26, 2023 – Trice Indicted for Kidnapping Resulting in Death and Kidnapping a Minor in Wynter Cole-Smith Case.
   
• August 7, 2023 – Trice Pleads Not Guilty During Arraignment in Wynter Cole-Smith Case.
   
• November 3, 2023 – Rashad Trice Trial Date Set for April 16 in Wynter Cole-Smith Case.
   
• March 22, 2024 – Rashad Trice, Who Killed Two-Year-Old Wynter Cole-Smith, Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Resulting in Death.

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