In a harrowing incident that unfolded across state lines, three inmates from DeKalb County Jail in Georgia kidnapped a Lyft driver during their escape to Florida. The elaborate escape, which has subsequently led to kidnapping charges, began when the trio managed to break free from their jail cell by damaging it. DeKalb County officials have since repaired and fortified the jail to prevent similar breaches in the future, as stated by DeKalb County Chief Deputy Temetris Atkins, according to NewsChannel 9.
The flight from justice ended in Miami after FBI agents were tipped off by a license plate reader. The driver, who believed she was picking up a woman as per the ride request, found herself instead confronted by Stevenson Charles, 24, Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25. The situation escalated rapidly once they reached their destination when one of the inmates "wrapped a rope around her neck from behind" and issued grave threats to her life, prompting her compliance out of fear, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Federal agents took action after tracking the vehicle's movements. They apprehended two inmates after attempting a traffic stop, while the third was arrested later at a rented house, where they used the driver's credit card for the payment. It was only during her captivity that she overheard conversations that made her realize the men were escaped inmates, as noted in court documents.
The ordeal for the Lyft driver spanned six to 10 hours, where she faced not only the threat of strangulation but also the invasive demands to access her financial accounts. Her trauma was compounded by threats that escalated to potential acts of violence, including being shot, raped, and tortured, as detailed by an FBI agent in the affidavit. "She endured increased threats of being shot, raped, and tortured," the affidavit stated, in a harrowing account of her experience obtained by NewsChannel 9.
All three inmates now face serious federal charges, in addition to a slew of state charges for the kidnapping and escape. Stevenson Charles' criminal history included armed robbery, and he was awaiting trial for murder at the time of the escape. The U.S. Marshals Service has confirmed the Lyft driver was an unwitting participant in the escape plan orchestrated by the inmates, with a federal magistrate judge in Fort Lauderdale scheduled to hear their case on Dec. 29, as mentioned by FOX 5 Atlanta.
