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 Wednesday, charging Stevenson Charles, 24, Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25, with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, Hobbs Act robbery, and multiple firearms offenses.
Prosecutors said Charles had been transferred to Georgia state custody on December 5, 2025, on pending murder and armed robbery charges. During a security check on December 22, authorities discovered Charles, Minor, and Yohannes were missing. Investigators allege the three traveled to South Florida and committed additional crimes.
The defendants allegedly used a rideshare service to kidnap a driver. One suspect is accused of placing a rope around the victim’s neck, restraining the victim, and forcing the victim into the back seat. Prosecutors said the victim was forced to provide banking information, and funds were withdrawn during stops in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Authorities said the victim was later taken to a rented residence in Broward County. Law enforcement located the suspects after Charles was seen driving the victim’s vehicle. Charles and Yohannes were arrested following a vehicle pursuit and foot chase, during which a firearm was recovered. Minor was arrested later the same day.
If convicted, Charles faces a potential life sentence, with mandatory minimum penalties due to prior convictions. Minor and Yohannes face mandatory minimum sentences for firearms charges and could also receive life sentences on the kidnapping charge, along with up to 20 years for Hobbs Act robbery.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Maultasch and Jonathan Jacobson. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
