DETROIT, May 12 (UPI) -- Three accused drug dealers on trial in federal court in Detroit did not bother to return to the courthouse Monday to hear a jury convict them.
When the three were still no-shows after an hour, U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy issued a bench warrant for their arrest.
Carlos Powell, 39, of Washington Township and and Eric Powell, 36, of Franklin Farms allegedly headed an operation that moved large quantities of cocaine and marijuana into Detroit. Earnest Proge, Jr., 38, of Detroit was also on trial.
"The judge said, 'We have a verdict.' And they were gone," Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office, said.
A fourth defendant, Kenneth Daniels, 55, did show up for the verdict. Daniels, who formerly represented a Detroit district in the state legislature, was found guilty of helping Carlos Powell with his finances.
The defendants were out on bail during the trial.
Prosecutors said the group operated on such a large scale that tractor trailers were used to move drugs. The leaders allegedly spent thousands of dollars on real estate, jewelry and cars.
