Man sentenced to 15 years for role in kidnapping and Dunham's gun theft

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced 25-year-old Dontrell Nance, of Benton Harbor, has been sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

“Gun violence is a national epidemic, and my office is focused on the handful of offenders driving gun violence in communities across our District,” said Totten. “The quick, coordinated actions by law enforcement kept 123 handguns from flooding our streets and further spreading this scourge and the trauma it brings.”

Nance was charged with his brother and codefendant, Darnell Bishop, for kidnapping and the theft of 123 handguns from the Benton Harbor Dunham’s Sports.

The pair kidnapped the manager from outside his own home using a pistol, took him to a second location, and convinced him to provide the alarm code for the store.

Bishop then went into the store and stole the firearms, carrying them away in two large coolers.

Law enforcement has since recovered all of the guns.

Bishop pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence earlier in July. 

Bishop is scheduled to be sentenced on October 25.