GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, was arraigned for kidnapping two-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, resulting in her death and kidnapping a minor. Trice was charged by criminal complaint on July 7, 2023, to secure his immediate detention, and indicted on July 26 to satisfy his constitutional right to federal indictment by a grand jury. During today’s arraignment before Magistrate Judge Ray Kent, Trice was formally read the charges against him and pleaded not guilty.
“Today’s hearing marks yet another step ahead in the judicial process, and my office is fully prepared to make our case against Mr. Trice at a fair trial,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My thoughts continue to be with the family as we seek a measure of justice following the heartbreaking loss of Wynter Cole-Smith.”
Trice is charged with two counts. The first count is kidnapping resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(1). If convicted, the statutory mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison. This offense is also death penalty eligible. The second count is kidnapping of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(a)(1) and (g)(1). If convicted, the statutory mandatory minimum sentence is 20 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
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