A federal inmate who escaped from a Georgia jail was captured in Broward County, Florida, following a multi-agency law enforcement effort. Stevenson Charles, 24, had been serving a life sentence for carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery before his transfer to Georgia state custody on December 5 to face charges connected to a 2022 murder and armed robbery.
Authorities discovered on Monday morning that Charles and two other inmates—Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25—were missing from the DeKalb County Jail during a routine security check.
“This was a dangerous, violent felon serving a life sentence who escaped custody, kidnapped an innocent victim, crossed state lines, and brought that threat into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Law enforcement moved with speed, coordination, and resolve to hunt him down and take him off the streets. I’m proud of the U.S. Marshals, FBI, ATF, and our state and local partners who worked across jurisdictions to capture these fugitives, and of our prosecutors who are now ensuring they are held fully accountable.”
According to court records provided by authorities after the escape from jail in Georgia, Charles along with Minor and Yohannes allegedly used a rideshare service where they kidnapped the driver. One defendant reportedly put a rope around the driver’s neck while another bound their hands; they then forced the driver into the backseat at knifepoint before threatening their life and compelling them to drive into South Florida.
Law enforcement located Charles driving the victim’s vehicle in South Florida. After leading police on a pursuit followed by fleeing on foot he was apprehended; officers recovered a firearm along his route. Minor and Yohannes were also arrested later that night.
Upon learning about the escape federal authorities initiated an operation involving multiple agencies which extended from DeKalb County across state lines into South Florida.
Charles and Yohannes appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on December 23 facing kidnapping charges while Minor is scheduled for his initial appearance on December 29.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Acting U.S. Marshal Priscilla Perez-Lopez of USMS Miami; Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of ATF Miami Field Division.
USMS Miami alongside FBI Miami and ATF Miami led investigations with support from Broward Sheriff’s Office as well as Miramar Police Department and City of Miami Police Department.
Deputy Chief Elena Smukler-Dominguez assisted with apprehension efforts while Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Maultasch is prosecuting the case.
