Three men from Georgia have been indicted in South Florida on charges connected to an alleged kidnapping and robbery.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, a federal grand jury in Miami returned the indictment on Wednesday, charging Stevenson Charles, 24, Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25, with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, Hobbs Act robbery, and multiple firearms violations.
Prosecutors stated that Charles was transported to Georgia state custody on December 5, 2025, for pending murder and armed robbery allegations. During a security check on December 22, authorities discovered Charles, Minor, and Yohannes missing. Investigators allege that the three went to South Florida and committed other crimes.
The defendants allegedly used a ridesharing service to kidnap a driver. One defendant is suspected of tying a rope around the victim’s neck, confining him, and pushing him into the backseat. Prosecutors said the victim was forced to reveal banking information, and money was taken during stops in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Authorities say the victim was later transferred to a rented home in Broward County. Charles was observed driving the victim’s vehicle, which led law police to the suspects. Charles and Yohannes were captured after a vehicle pursuit and foot chase in which a handgun was discovered. The minor was detained later that same day.
If convicted, Charles faces a life sentence with mandatory minimum punishments for prior crimes. Minor and Yohannes face mandatory minimum penalties for firearms charges, as well as life sentences for kidnapping and up to 20 years in prison for Hobbs Act robbery.
The FBI Miami Field Office is investigating the case, and Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Maultasch and Jonathan Jacobson are prosecuting it. The defendants are deemed innocent until proven guilty in court.