James Steen

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced on December 17th, 2014 federal charges against multiple individuals in connection with eight robberies of credit unions, following an investigation by a state and federal violent crime task force. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings, Lansing Police Chief Michael Yankowski, Michigan State Police Captain Monica Yesh and FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate joined in the announcement. Angelo George Mitchell, Allante Williams, Terrell Reese, James Steen, Defonta Howard and Jonathan Daffin have been federally charged with conspiracy to rob a credit union, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Robbery of a credit union is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The affidavit in support of the federal complaint references eight robberies of credit unions and one attempted robbery that took place at various times between September 9th and December 11th, 2014. The affidavit explains that on December 11th, 2014 a surveillance team instigated a traffic stop by Michigan State Police Troopers of the six men. The complaint affidavit alleges the men were wearing makeup on their faces consistent with that seen by witnesses to prior credit union robberies and that the six men were on their way at the time to rob the Dearborn Federal Credit Union on Lake Lansing Road in Lansing, Michigan. The other alleged victim credit unions identified in the affidavit are: • Astera Credit Union, located at 301 East Jolly Road, Lansing, Michigan (twice); • Lake Trust Credit Union, located at 300 North Clippert Street, Lansing, Michigan; • Genisys Credit Union, located at 207 Huron Boulevard, Marysville, Michigan; • CASE Credit Union, located at 4316 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Lansing, Michigan (twice); • Lake Trust Credit Union, located at 2180 West Stadium Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan; • Community Choice Credit Union located at 34930 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia, Michigan. The arrests and charges are the result of a collaborative effort by a violent crime task force comprised of the Lansing Police Department, the Michigan State Police, the FBI, the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. Following a preliminary hearing today in federal court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh Brenneman found probable cause supporting the charge as to each defendant and all six were detained pending further proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim VerHey and Russell Kavalhuna indicated that they expect to present the matter to a federal grand jury for possible indictment in the coming weeks. The complaint and affidavit further allege that a Scantavia Ronda Isaac was involved in the conspiracy. She has not been arrested and anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should contact Detective St. Aubin at the Lansing Police Department. He can be reached at (517) 483-6862. Charges in a complaint or indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.