Former Detroit Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Agents

DETROIT - A former Detroit Police Officer pleaded guilty today to lying to federal agents who were investigating bribery allegations, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Dametri J. Wade, age 26, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a federal agent before United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith.

According to the plea agreement, while employed by the Detroit Police Department and driving a Detroit Police scout car, Wade was present at the scene of a larceny that occurred on August 11, 2022, on Saint Maron Street in the City of Detroit. The perpetrators of the larceny used false documents to make it appear like they had legal authority to access the property. Wade was present at the scene in his Detroit Police Department vehicle to further the ruse that the perpetrators of the larceny were legally permitted to enter the home in question.

Wade was interviewed about this incident by FBI agents conducting a bribery investigation on December 19, 2022. Wade denied any knowledge of a larceny at the Saint Maron street property. In fact, Wade knew that there was going to be a larceny at the property, and that his presence was necessary to further the fiction that the larceny's perpetrators were entering the property for a legally valid purpose. At the time he made the statement to the FBI agents, Wade knew that the statement was false, and he further knew that making false statements to the FBI was unlawful.

<_o3a_p>

"Lying to law enforcement is never acceptable, but for an officer sworn to uphold the law to do so is inexcusable," stated U.S. Attorney Ison. "Today's conviction should send a strong message that no one, even a police officer, is above the law."

"Today's guilty plea from former Detroit Police Officer Dametri Wade reinforces our unwavering commitment to enforcing the highest standards of integrity in law enforcement," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Detroit. "We appreciate the crucial collaboration with Detroit Police Chief White and his department throughout this investigation. Let it be clear: Wade's actions do not represent the exemplary standards of the Detroit Police Department. The FBI's Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force will relentlessly pursue any acts of public corruption, ensuring accountability for those who break the law and safeguarding the public's trust in those dedicated to protecting our great community."

Sentencing for Wade is scheduled for February 5, 2025. Wade faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with Investigators of the Detroit Police Department's Professional Standards Bureau. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Moran.