A seventh individual has been charged in federal court with robbery and kidnapping offenses for allegedly participating in a violent home invasion in Winnetka, Illinois, according to a May 4 announcement by authorities. Tyrese Fenton-Watson, 23, of Chicago, was arrested on April 28 and ordered to remain detained without bond.
Fenton-Watson faces charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping related to the incident that took place on March 8. Six other defendants were previously arrested and charged with the same offenses following a superseding indictment unsealed last week. All seven individuals are being held without bond. For one defendant, the U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully appealed an order for release on bond; a district judge then ordered continued detention.
The charges allege that Dashun Brown posed as a food delivery driver to gain entry into the residence. Brown, Fenton-Watson, David Franklin, Jalen Chambers, and another co-conspirator reportedly entered armed with loaded firearms. The group is accused of holding an individual captive for about an hour using firearms for restraint and also restraining a child who arrived during the incident. According to authorities, the suspects demanded access to valuables including a safe and online cryptocurrency accounts before fleeing after approximately one hour.
After leaving the residence, Fenton-Watson and others allegedly met up with Isaiah Dukes, Khiell Dukes, Anthony Ramsey, and additional co-conspirators who had been waiting nearby while communicating with those inside.
The complaint against Fenton-Watson was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Christopher Amon of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Douglas S. DePodesta from the FBI; and Brian O’Connell from Winnetka Police Department. Assistance came from multiple local police departments including Chicago Police Department as well as departments from Northbrook, Glencoe and Orland Park.
Brown (24), Franklin (24), Ramsey (22), Isaiah Dukes (28), Khiell Dukes (30), all originally from various cities in Illinois or California—alongside Chambers (24) of Bourbonnais—have pleaded not guilty in response to their charges under the superseding indictment. Kidnapping conspiracy carries up to life imprisonment if convicted; robbery conspiracy can result in up to twenty years' imprisonment.
Authorities remind that indictments are not evidence of guilt: "The public is reminded that indictments and complaints are not evidence of guilt," officials said. "The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." The investigation remains ongoing.
