MIAMI — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Florida, Southern), published as received.
MIAMI – A federal inmate serving a life sentence for carjacking, kidnapping, and robbing multiple victims has been captured in Broward County after escaping from the DeKalb County Jail in Georgia.
Stevenson Charles, 24, had been in federal custody until Dec. 5, when he was transferred to Georgia state custody to await trial on charges related to a 2022 murder and armed robbery. During a routine security check Monday morning, authorities discovered that Charles, along with Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25, were missing from the facility.
“This was a dangerous, violent felon serving a life sentence who escaped custody, kidnapped an innocent victim, crossed state lines, and brought that threat into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Law enforcement moved with speed, coordination, and resolve to hunt him down and take him off the streets. I’m proud of the U.S. Marshals, FBI, ATF, and our state and local partners who worked across jurisdictions to capture these fugitives, and of our prosecutors who are now ensuring they are held fully accountable.”
According to court records, after escaping, Charles, Minor, and Yohannes allegedly used a rideshare service in Georgia and kidnapped the driver. After entering the vehicle, one of the defendants wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck from behind, and then the victim’s hands were bound together. The victim was then forced into the backseat. The defendants allegedly threatened the victim’s life and forced the victim to drive them into South Florida.
Law enforcement later located Charles driving the victim’s vehicle. Charles led police on a pursuit before fleeing on foot. He was apprehended shortly thereafter. A firearm was recovered along the route of the pursuit. Minor and Yohannes were also apprehended late Monday night.
Upon learning of the escape, federal authorities launched a coordinated, multi-agency effort to locate and apprehend the fugitives. The search spanned from DeKalb County, Georgia, across state lines into South Florida.
Charles and Yohannes made their initial appearances in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 23 on kidnapping charges. Minor is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Dec. 29.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Acting U.S. Marshal Priscilla Perez-Lopez of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Miami; Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
USMS Miami, FBI Miami, and the ATF Miami Field Office are investigating the case. The investigation and apprehension were supported by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Miramar Police Department, and the City of Miami Police Department.
Deputy Chief Elena Smukler-Dominguez assisted with the apprehension, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Maultasch is prosecuting the case.
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