Three Georgia Fugitives, Including Federal Inmate, Charged in Violent Kidnapping and Armed Robbery Scheme

MIAMI – A grand jury in Miami has returned an indictment Wednesday charging three Georgia fugitives for their alleged roles in a violent scheme to abduct and rob a victim, possessing a firearm to carry out the kidnapping and robbery.

According to court records, Stevenson Charles, 24, had been in federal custody until Dec. 5, 2025, 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 on Dec. 22, 2025, authorities discovered that Charles, along with Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25, were missing from the facility.

After escaping, the defendants allegedly used a rideshare service in Georgia and kidnapped the driver. After entering the vehicle, one of the defendants allegedly wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck from behind, bound the victim’s hands, and forced the victim into the backseat. The defendants then allegedly threatened the victim’s life and told the victim to keep their head down while they drove into South Florida.

The defendants allegedly forced the victim to provide access to their banking accounts and funds and used the victim’s banking cards to make purchases at businesses in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including securing a short-term rental residence in Broward County. The defendants allegedly assaulted the victim when the victim attempted to escape and transported the victim to the rental residence, where they allegedly prevented the victim from leaving.

Law enforcement later located Charles driving the victim’s vehicle, with Yohannes also inside. Charles allegedly led officers on a pursuit before fleeing on foot and was apprehended shortly thereafter. A firearm was recovered along the route of the pursuit. Yohannes was apprehended near the vehicle. Minor was also apprehended the same day.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, Hobbs Act robbery, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. In addition, Charles is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison on the conspiracy, kidnapping, and firearm counts. Charles faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison on the firearm charge. Yohannes and Minor each face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years on the firearm count. All three defendants also face up to 20 years in prison on the Hobbs Act robbery charge. Charles additionally faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to life in prison on the felon-in-possession count.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

FBI Miami is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Maultasch and Jonathan Jacobson are prosecuting the case.

An indictment/complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.gov, under case number 26-cr-60009.

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