Federal charges have been brought against five suspects, including family members, in connection with a conspiracy to kidnap, rob, and murder Curtis Dixon, a Detroit man who had recently received a $100,000 gift from a social media influencer.
Dixon caught everyone’s eye in late August after influencer Zach Dereniowski, aka MDMotivator, gave him a shout-out for being a Good Samaritan. Dereniowski, who was pretending to be blind, said Dixon was “the first kind person to help him.”
However after his short burst of fame, Dixon was allegedly kidnapped, taken to ATMs, beaten, tied up, and left in his car, which was then set on fire, Fox2 Detroit reports.
RELATED STORIES
The individuals charged in US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan are Roland Terrell Chatmon, Dnequia Stroman, Ieasha Ann Stroman (Dnequia’s spouse), Leica Doreen Lopez Martinez, and Kenneth Paul Anderson.
Chatmon, Dixon’s nephew, is Dixon’s wife’s sister’s son. Investigators also think Dnequia Stroman might be family, too.
READ ALSO: Man charged with kidnapping girl from middle school said he took her to play video games
The 27-page complaint details “probable cause that the defendants all conspired and agreed to unlawfully seize, confine, kidnap, abduct, and carry away and hold Victim 1 and Victim 2 for the purpose of obtaining cash, money from Victim 1’s bank accounts, and other personal property, by using any means.” Victim 1 is identified as Dixon, and Victim 2 as his wife.
Investigators indicate that the incident started with a phone call from Chatmon’s brother, who was incarcerated in Wayne County Jail.
On August 20, Chatmon was recorded saying, “I said that motherfucker better not make me turn a hustle.” He then mentioned that Dixon had obtained a new car, a “crib,” and “$100 racks.”
Two days later, on August 22, 2025, Chatmon told his brother he was “trying to figure some shit out” because he needed to borrow some “cheese.” He expressed his difficulties, saying, “I need some racks real quick. I’m tired of this shit.”
A subsequent three-way call on August 24 included Chatmon, his brother, and his mother.
“Twin, it’s time to come out of retirement, baby,” Chatmon’s brother said on the recording. Chatmon replied, “Hey man, I can get a couple portions of those dollars.”
On September 1, police were called to Dixon’s home in Southwest Detroit for a reported home invasion. Dixon’s wife stated that two armed suspects pointed a gun at her, tied her up, and stole a safe.
Around the same time, the DPD responded to a vehicle fire on the east side, near Mount Elliot and Nevada.
Dixon reported being robbed at gunpoint, tied in his SUV, and driven to various locations, including ATMs and his home, where a safe was stolen. Police found Dixon near his burning GMC Yukon Denali after witnesses pulled him from the vehicle.
Investigators allege that Leica Doreen Lopez Martinez lured Dixon into the trap by asking for a ride, claiming her car had broken down on Vernor.
When Dixon got to Filer Avenue on the east side, a man and a woman ambushed him. They tied him up, put a shirt over his head, and threatened to kill his wife if he didn’t give them money.
Then, they drove him around in his SUV, still tied up, stopping at different places to get money, and even went to his house.
Federal investigators used cell phone data and surveillance footage from places like gas stations, banks, and ATMs to follow the suspect’s moves during the incident.
READ ALSO: Maryland woman claims she was drugged and kidnapped while vacationing in Tunisia
On September 1, Chatmon got another call from his brother, who was in jail. During this chat, Chatmon said, “They got the old YN man. . . . They got (Dixon’s) a** dawg. Somebody got that ***** bro. . . .They caught the ***** with his pants down.”
Investigators believe Chatmon gave his brother details about the kidnapping during this recorded call.
His brother then asked if Dixon was kidnapped for “cheese he ain’t even got yet?” Chatmon replied that it was for something “light.”
On September 6, Chatmon’s brother contacted him from jail, and Chatmon identified Dnequia Stroman as a family member while also discussing Lopez Martinez. Chatmon’s brother then warned that Dixon needed to “get right” to avoid another “episode.” Chatmon reportedly told their mother that “YNs” and “Young b**ches” going to “get on his a** again.”
On September 25, ATF agents served search warrants and found drugs, guns, and items from the stolen safe. Dixon received over $100,000 from a crowdfunding campaign, as well as other gifts. These gifts included $5,000 from Dereniowski, a new car, and $2,500 from American Jewelry and Loan. Dixon had originally planned to pawn his wedding ring at American Jewelry and Loan to pay his utility bill.
