Detroit historian: White Boy Rick Wershe prison release way overdue
DETROIT Richard White Boy Rick Wershe Jr. is set to be released from prison on Monday after 32 years behind bars. Wershe was only 14 years old when he was recruited by the FBI in Detroit as a highly-paid, drug-dealing informant. Though the story of White Boy Rick has been well-shared across Metro Detroit for decades, the story also made national headlines over the years. Burstein even served as a consultant for the White Boy Rick film. When you add in the factors of all the mitigating circumstances considering that he was recruited out of eight grade and turned into a drug dealer, the U.S. government actually created the persona that is White Boy Rick, Burnstein added.
New podcast detailing the life of 'White Boy Rick' now available
The second season of WDIV's "Shattered" podcast series is now available. "Shattered Presents: White Boy Rick" is an eight-episode podcast series detailing the life of Richard Wershe Jr.At 14, Rick Wershe Jr. became the youngest FBI informant ever and helped bring down some of Detroit's biggest drug dealers. Then the FBI abandoned him, and he became the dealer, until being busted with eight kilos of cocaine. Wershe has been in prison ever since. The series features extensive interviews with Wershe, former drug bosses, law enforcement officials, legal professionals, family and friends of Wershe, as well as an exclusive interview with Academy Award winning actor, Matthew McConaughey, who plays the part of Richard Wershe, Sr. in the new film, White Boy Rick.