Two Detroit men and a Redford Township man were sentenced yesterday after being convicted at trial in a case involving armed carjacking to support a chop shop, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Paul Abbate, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department, Colonel Kriste Kibbey Etue, Director, Michigan State Police and William Hayes, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States District Judge George Caram Steeh sentenced Frank Harper, 30, of Detroit, to 63 years in federal prison, Phillip Harper, 25, of Detroit to 92 years in federal prison and Bernard Edmond, 46, of Redford Township to 75 years in federal prison.

The evidence presented during the three week trial established that the defendants conspired with several others to steal high-end vehicles, many by committing armed carjacking, and then to retag the vehicles for sale. Edmond would purchase the stolen vehicles from the Harper brothers and others after the thefts. He would then alter the vehicle identification number of the stolen vehicles to conceal the fact that the vehicles had been stolen. Edmond would also create false documents to file with the Secretary of State, then sell the vehicles to unwitting buyers in Michigan and other states. Edmond created a market for the stolen vehicles by informing the Harpers and others of his desire to buy these stolen vehicles.

The Harper brothers committed several carjackings and other auto thefts. For example, on October 14, 2010, Phillip Harper and others brandished firearms to steal a Cadillac Escalade, a GMC Yukon, a Chyrsler Aspen, and a Mercury Milan from the Elysium Night Club in downtown Detroit. On January 25, 2011, Frank Harper and others carjacked a Mercedes S550 from a person at the intersection of Atwater and Joseph Campau streets in Detroit. On January 31, 2011, the Harper brothers and another used a firearm to carjack three vehicles from a person on Joseph Campau Street in Detroit. On February 22, 2011, the Harper brothers and others carjacked three high-end vehicles from the valet at Opus One restaurant in Detroit. On March 20, 2011, Philip Harper and others carjacked a Lexus 460 near Club Vain in Detroit. Many of these and other vehicles were intended for Bernard Edmund to retag and sell.

Co-defendants Justin Bowman was sentenced to 168 months, Stratford Newton received a sentence of 144 months and Darrell Young received a sentence of 60 months for their roles in the conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney McQuade said, “This case is an example of the kinds of cases we are bringing under our federal campaign to crack down on carjacking. Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community. Although these convictions bring with them severe sentences, we think they are appropriate for such serious and pervasive crimes. We hope that these convictions will deter others from committing similar crimes that wreak havoc in our neighborhoods.”

“This case serves as an example of the collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement to bring justice to bear upon perpetrators who, for years, victimized our neighborhoods with violence,” stated Paul Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI, along with Homeland Security Investigations, the Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office, remains dedicated to rooting out those who would prey on our society.”

Chief Craig stated, “Thank you to all involved who dismantled this Detroit carjacking ring. This is another opportunity for the Detroit Police Department to work with our partners to help reduce carjacking crimes, which is one of the department’s top priorities.”

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI, officers of the Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police and Homeland Security Investigations.