An Indianapolis man has been convicted by a federal jury for orchestrating a series of violent armed robberies through online marketplaces, one of which tragically led to a death. Demetris Campbell, 29, found guilty on multiple charges including conspiracy and aiding in robberies, used LetGo and OfferUp to lure his victims with counterfeit sales, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Documents and evidence presented at the trial showed that between July 19 and July 28, 2020, Campbell deceived individuals into believing they could purchase iPhones at an Indianapolis apartment complex, details provided via LetGo and OfferUp accounts with names like "Man with a Plan" and "Simone." The plan turned to violence when the victims arrived, one incident involving a 15-year-old and his father who were robbed at gunpoint, the teenager being struck in the face with a pistol; in another an armed assailant threatened a woman with her two children present, and the series of crimes culminated in a shooting that killed one person and injured another.
Cameras confirmed the sequence of events, culminating in Campbell's arrest the day after the fatal robbery, helping investigators to link him and his accomplice, Angel Montano, to the crimes through the usernames used, Montano was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison in February of 2023 after a guilty plea on related charges. According to the press release, the conviction served as a clear reminder of the dark underbelly of online marketplaces, where transactions can sometimes turn deadly.
The investigation saw the collaboration of multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, while U.S. Attorney Myers and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany J. Preston and Carolyn A. Haney led the prosecution efforts against Campbell, Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt presided over Campbell's trial and is expected to set a date for his sentencing.
