by P.D. Lesko

On April 4, 2025 30-year-old Deshawn Leeth was shot and killed in Beaver County Pennsylvania after what officials described a “wild” car chase that started in Ohio. Leeth was one of Sheriff Alichia Dyer’s outreach workers, a reformed habitual felon who, between 2012 and 2015, racked up 13 felony home invasion charges and 10 felony convictions. He was sent to prison at age 18. On April 4, Leeth crashed a car on the Ohio Turnpike. An Ohio State trooper stopped to check on Leeth. Ohio State Police officials say Leeth fought with the trooper and attempted to steal his gun. Leeth then stole the trooper’s cruiser and led police on a chase into Pennsylvania.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff hires outreach workers to go into the community and assist in coordinating between law enforcement and the public, to reduce crime and reduce reoffending. Under Sheriff Jerry Clayton and former Dir. of Community Engagement Derrick Jackson, felons were routinely hired. in 2024, one community outreach worker, a felon, was stopped by County Sheriff’s Deputies and found with a cache of guns, including automatic weapons. Upon exiting his vehicle, the individual told the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputies that he “worked” for Jerry Clayton. The outreach worker, a felon in possession of guns, was arrested and charged.

The Sheriff’s Dept. Community Outreach Coordinator is Marvin Gundy, who has been under investigation by the Michigan AG for witness tampering and witness intimidation.

In Pennsylvania on the Turnpike, Leeth crashed and flipped the stolen police cruiser. In a video taken from across the highway by a trucker, while being detained Leeth punched and kicked the two officers. He was then shot and killed.

Deshawn Leeth founded and was the executive director of Underdawg Nation. Through Underdawg Nation, Deshawn Leeth focused on Washtenaw County children impacted by community violence. In Leeth’s bio on the Underdawg Nation website, he talked about his life of crime and his stint in prison: “At age 18,2012 he [Deshawn Leeth] received a  prison sentence after leading a life of crime. Since his release in 2021, Deshawn has been dedicated to helping at-risk youth through his work as Executive Director of UnderDawg Nation, a resource for kids in Washtenaw County vulnerable to community violence and disengagement from school. Deshawn has also joined the outreach team at the Washtenaw County Sheriff department as a Community Engagement Specialist.”

While Leeth’s website states Underdawg Nation is a non-profit, and Underdawg Nation solicited donations, Michigan Business entity records show Underdawg Nation was registered as an LLC. LLCs may apply to the IRS for non-profit status, but the IRS Charitable Division has no record of Underdawg Nation as a nonprofit.

Sheriff Alyshia Dyer took to her social media account to comment on Leeth’s death:

“Like so many in the community, we are left in shock, with unanswered questions and profound sorrow. His loss will be deeply felt by the young people across our county whose lives he touched. No matter who you were or what you had been through, Deshawn showed unwavering compassion and care to everyone he worked with.”

The Ohio State trooper was treated for minor injuries, and the Pennsylvania State troopers have been put on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into Leeth’s shooting.