In a case that underscores the dangers of internet marketplaces, a Detroit man has been found guilty of murdering a Kentucky man during what was supposed to be a simple transaction for a vehicle trailer. Davontae Eshawn Long, 31, was convicted on several felony charges including felony murder and carjacking. According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, as reported by The Detroit News, the verdict carries a mandatory life sentence without parole for the murder charge.
The incident took place in December 2021 when the victim, a 28-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, was lured to Detroit after arranging to quickly sell a pull-behind vehicle trailer via Facebook Marketplace. Upon arrival, he was violently pulled from his Cadillac Escalade, shot in the back by Long, and stripped of his possessions, including a .45 caliber handgun. The Michigan Department of Attorney General, in a post on their official website, emphasized exercising caution when conducting private sales online, particularly when the deal requires traveling to unfamiliar locations. Dana Nessel, the Attorney General, commented that this event was nothing less than a "tragic and brutal ambush."
Long's list of convictions extends beyond murder and carjacking. He was also found guilty of being a felon in possession of a handgun and three counts of felony firearm. The prosecution at the trial was conducted by the Attorney General's Office, following investigations by the Detroit Police Department and the Violent Crimes Task Force. Long is scheduled to be sentenced on July 18, with Judge Michael Hathaway presiding over the case.
The case is a stark reminder to always be vigilant when it comes to online sales. "Both buyers and sellers should exercise extreme caution when arranging private online marketplace sales, especially when traveling long distances to places they are unfamiliar with," Nessel warned, as quoted by the Department of Attorney General's press release. Such cautionary tales serve to remind the public to take all necessary precautions to ensure safety in their transactions and to be aware of the potential risks associated with online dealings.
