A federal grand jury in Detroit has indicted Randolph Abner III, 63, alleging he intentionally possessed with intent to distribute crack cocaine that may have resulted in the death of two people in a Warren motel room.
The charges, laid out earlier in a criminal complaint sworn by a Special Agent with DEA Detroit, included Possession of Cocaine Base with Intent to Distribute, and further alleges the drug involved was linked to two deaths.
Recommended Videos
According to the complaint, Warren police were dispatched to room 234 at Americas Best Value Inn & Suites on Miller Drive around 9 a.m. March 6, 2026, for suspected overdose deaths. Police were told by the Warren Fire Department that two people were dead inside the room.
‘Brown powder… a straw, a razor blade, and a playing card’
Officers said the deaths were consistent with overdose activity and reported finding a brown powder substance in a small plastic wrapper suspected to be heroin, along with a straw, a razor blade, and a playing card – all reportedly on the bathroom vanity.
Investigators said they then interviewed the person who called 911. That person allegedly told police they had been dropped off at the motel the night before by Abner and said the two deceased were smoking crack cocaine all night while the three played cards.
The 911 caller later said they were also smoking crack cocaine and told police they last saw the two alive around 7 a.m. before falling asleep at a desk inside the room. When they woke up, they allegedly saw both people unresponsive and called 911.
Surveillance video from the motel, according to the feds, showed that earlier that evening, a Dodge minivan arrived with a driver later identified as Abner with the 911 caller in the front passenger seat, court records said. A sign reading “TAXI” was visible on the windshield, the feds said.
Investigators said the 911 caller is seen getting out, and one of the deceased is then seen getting into the passenger seat and speaking briefly with Abner before getting back out, after which Abner drives away.
‘I occasionally give fentanyl to ‘girls’'
Later the next morning, a Warren police officer said they spotted a blue 2006 Dodge Caravan registered to Abner near 12 Mile and Mound. After a records check showed the registered owner had an arrest warrant out of Detroit, the officer said they stopped Abner for having a tree air freshener hanging from the rear-view mirror that obstructed his vision.
After pulling Abner over, officers allegedly asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and whether the officer could search it. Abner allegedly replied, “I don’t care.”
A tracking dog then alerted police to the headliner dome compartment. The officer said the dome light was loose, and when the housing was pulled down, they found suspected narcotics concealed inside in two clear baggies.
The feds said the two bags contained what appeared to be white rock-like substances. Federal authorities said DEA laboratory testing later found about 13.1 grams of cocaine base. One bag also had a “lottery fold” with a substance that tested positive for heroin, the feds said.
After his arrest, police said Abner denied the drugs belonged to him but acknowledged he had dropped off the 911 caller at the motel the day before. He also allegedly said he gave one of the deceased a “dime” of “crack.” The feds said Abner denied giving them fentanyl but allegedly said: “I occasionally give fentanyl to ‘girls’ who are ‘nervous’ and he ‘want the sex, so, you know, there it is.’”
Bond and next court date
Abner was given a $10,000 personal bond and is set to be arraigned on the Indictment on June 18 in federal court in Detroit. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for the same day at 1:00 p.m.
According to the Michigan statute, federal penalties for Possession of Cocaine Base with Intent Resulting in Death are increased if the offense results in death or serious bodily injury from the use of the substance. Abner may face not less than 20 years and up to life in prison, according to that statute.