Cortez Blake, a 23-year-old resident of Detroit, has been sentenced to 16 years and six months in federal prison following his conviction for kidnapping. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, with Special Agent in Charge James M. Deir of the ATF in Michigan joining her.
Blake's conviction came on August 12, 2024, after a jury trial. This case involves seven individuals charged with conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping. Five have been convicted so far. Blake and Nasir Lewis were found guilty at trial for kidnapping, while Maijah Greene admitted guilt to conspiracy to kidnap, and Shatonnia Kimbrough pleaded guilty to kidnapping. The trial for Semaj Ayers is still pending, whereas Karamoh Turner was acquitted.
In connection with the incident that led to the kidnapping charges, two others were convicted of carjacking. Jamar Lee-Stinson received an 11-and-a-half-year sentence in May 2024 after pleading guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Amiaya Bryant also pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to ten years in June 2024.
The court heard evidence that the defendants kidnapped their victim from Sinai-Grace Hospital under false assumptions about involvement in a carjacking. The victim was beaten at an empty lot before being taken to a residence controlled by Blake where further assaults occurred until abandonment on a roadside.
U.S. Attorney Ison stated: “Street justice cannot take place in this community...This senseless cycle of violence will not be tolerated.”
Special Agent Deir commented: "This sentence is proof that ATF Detroit...have zero tolerance for anyone who chooses to use an illegal firearm."
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative focused on reducing violent crime through collaboration among various stakeholders.