DETROIT – A man who was found beaten beside his burning SUV on Labor Day and whose wife was tied up during a home invasion is at the center of an alleged kidnapping and theft plot that now has five people facing federal charges, authorities said.
Background: Man kidnapped on Detroit’s west side found with his burning SUV on east side
Task Force Officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) have identified Roland Terrel Chatmon, Leica Lopez Martinez, Ieasha Ann Stroman, Dnequia Jenise Stroman and Kenneth Paul Anderson as suspects in the alleged plot.
The defendants appeared in court on Friday, Sept. 26, for charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, according to court records.
Investigators say the case began to take shape after a video of the victim receiving a large sum of money from a popular social media influencer went viral in August.
ATF agents later used the viral clip as part of a broader probe into the incidents, which included the torched SUV, the abduction, and a reported plot to steal thousands of dollars from the Detroit resident.
According to court documents, the string of events on and around Sept. 1 began when Lopez Martinez approached the victim in a parking lot on W. Vernor, claiming she had car trouble and needed a ride.
When the victim arrived on Detroit’s east side, investigators allege, several suspects appeared with guns, tied the victim up, pulled his shirt over his head, robbed him, and threatened to kill his wife.
A short time later, investigators say, two other armed suspects ambushed the couple at their home, tied up the victim’s wife and stole a safe. The victim’s SUV was later found torched. He was left bound and injured by the burning vehicle.
Evidence compiled by federal agents over the course of about a month, authorities said, included GPS data, surveillance video, ATM footage and phone call logs.
ATF agents allege video and ATM surveillance show Lopez Martinez driving the victim’s SUV and withdrawing money from his bank account, while Stroman was allegedly captured on camera using the victim’s cards at ATMs.
Phone records, investigators say, captured conversations about the large sum of money between Chatmon and family members, including a brother who is currently incarcerated.
Neighbors expressed shock and heartbreak upon learning that some alleged suspects may be related to the victim.
“This is all shocking,” said neighbor Christian Peterson. “To find out that his own family got something to do with that -- that’s heartbreaking, man.”
Authorities executed search warrants at the homes of the suspects earlier this week as the investigation continued. Agents say weapons, drugs, coins, and other stolen items were found in each of their homes.
The case is under active investigation by the ATF. Each of the suspects is due back in court next week.