A Detroit man was sentenced to prison Wednesday for a fatal drug distribution scheme on the city’s east side that resulted in overdoses and at least one death last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Lavante Brown, 30, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison before U.S. District Court Judge Bernard Friedman. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death on May 16, said Dawn Ison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, in a news release.

Brown was the last of seven defendants in a drug conspiracy that resulted in overdoses and at least one death, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

“These defendants believed that they could take over areas of our city, destroy neighborhoods, and risk others’ lives with impunity,” Ison said. “But these sentences should serve as notice that federal law enforcement will not stand idly by while drug dealers do harm to our community.”

An FBI probe found that a group of dealers operated an on-demand drive-thru for drugs, including crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, on Yacama Avenue on Detroit’s east side.

Customers bought drugs by driving to the street, where they were served at their car window with drugs at any time of day, as many times as they could afford, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The incessant drug activity plagued residents and resulted in home abandonments, said prosecutors, who added that the abandoned homes were used to further drug distribution.

“Drugs sold from Yacama caused many overdoses, including at least one fatal overdose,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Brown was among six others across Metro Detroit who pleaded guilty to offenses related to the sales of controlled substances on Yacama:

• Anthony Foster, 38, of Detroit pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance; he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
• Willie Swift, 58, of Detroit pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance; he was sentenced to over 10 years in prison.
• Terrance Hall, 34, of Eastpointe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
• Dana Hudson, 46, of Detroit pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.
• David Terry, 41, of Harper Woods pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to over four years in prison.
• Justin Fields, 33, of Rochester Hills pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced to one day of custody with credit for time-served, followed by three years of supervised release.

“Today’s sentencing marks a significant victory in our relentless fight against opioid trafficking and its devastating impact on our community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan.

“This case sends a strong message that we will not tolerate activities that endanger our citizens’ lives and will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable. I commend the diligent efforts of the FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force in bringing these criminals to justice.”

WARREN, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Nearly 1,500 athletes compete in 18 events this year for the regional Special Olympics at Macomb County Community College in Warren. 

An event of this size relies on a significant number of volunteers. 

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he looks forward to this event every year. 

“You’re really giving back to the community by being with these kids again. They’re all special to every one of us,” Hackel said. 

The Roseville High School football team was also part of a large team of organizers. 

“They help us out during the season, they come out and support us so why not come and support them,” said D’Ondre Fordham, a junior at Roseville High School. 

For junior quarterback Jordan Simes, volunteering at an event like the Special Olympics is personal to his family. 

“I am honored. I have a cousin with disabilities, and it is hard for him and my family to cope with everything, so it means a lot,” Simes said. 

Roseville High School head coach Vernard Snowden said helping out at this event every year is very important to the school and his program. 

“I just think for them to be active in the community, as well as our CI department seeing them active, not just for our program but for our community as a whole,” Snowden said. 

Athletes competed in a variety of events today, like sprinting and bocci ball. 

Win, lose, or draw, for the athletes and volunteers, this Special Olympics regional event continues to be a success year after year.

“That being said, what these kids are getting out of it, really makes you feel like you are part of something very special,” Hackel said. 

Some of the winners from the regional event will compete at the end of the month in Mt. Pleasant. 

The Special Olympics Summer Games will take place on May 30-31 and June 1. 

Martin Lawrence’s sitcom character lived in the Motor City during the five-season run of Fox’s “Martin” in the 1990s.

Now, the real Martin Lawrence is bringing his national arena tour announced Wednesday morning to his TV home.

The “Y’all Know What It Is!’ tour will arrive at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Aug. 30. It is part of a nearly 40-city schedule that is Lawrence’s first comedy tour in eight years.

The tour is timed to follow the premiere of the latest movie in the “Bad Boys” franchise starring Lawrence and Will Smith, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which premieres June 7.

Tickets are available to purchase starting at 10 a.m. May 17 at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Two years ago, the comedy icon was part of a 30-year anniversary “Martin” special on BET+ that reunited him with cast members Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II.

Lawrence unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April 2023.

For more on the tour and a complete list of cities, go to martinlawrenceontour.com.