A man charged with murder at age 11 who spent the rest of his childhood in custody was arrested Friday on a drug charge after undercover officers allegedly caught him selling at a gas station, police said.
Nathaniel Abraham, 22, was picked up about 1 a.m. in his hometown of Pontiac and charged with possession with intent to deliver narcotics, said a police sergeant there, Brian McLaughlin.
As a baby-faced sixth grader, Abraham shot and killed a stranger who was leaving a Pontiac convenience store, according to testimony. When he was arrested in his classroom, his face was painted for Halloween. He was convicted of second-degree murder at age 13 in the slaying of Ronnie Greene and was released from juvenile custody in January 2007.
A message was left Friday for attorney Daniel Bagdade, who had represented Abraham.
Police said Abraham was in possession of 254 pills they believe were Ecstasy. Plainclothes officers said they saw what they believe to be a hand-to-hand drug sale between Abraham and a person on a bicycle.
Abraham, who is being held at the Oakland County Jail, could face arraignment as early as Friday afternoon. McLaughlin described Abraham as cooperative when he was taken into custody.
Abraham became the first young person charged with murder to be prosecuted under a 1997 Michigan law that allowed adult prosecutions of children of any age in a serious felony case. Abraham was convicted as an adult but sentenced as a juvenile.
Since his release, Abraham has taken college classes, spoken at churches and schools and recorded a rap album.
Abraham gave a Southfield address at the time of his arrest.