A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale convicted Stevenson Charles, 24, on Feb. 27 for his involvement in the violent kidnapping and robbery of a rideshare driver while escaping from Georgia state custody.
The case highlights the dangers posed to the public when inmates escape custody and commit further violent crimes. Authorities said Charles was serving a life sentence before being transferred to Georgia state custody on Dec. 5, 2025, to face charges related to a previous murder and armed robbery. On Dec. 22, 2025, Charles and two other inmates were discovered missing from their facility.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said, “This defendant’s escape from custody triggered a violent chain of events that put an innocent rideshare driver in grave danger. The evidence at trial showed a brutal kidnapping carried out to facilitate his flight from justice. Thanks to the determined work of our federal agents and law enforcement partners, the victim survived and the defendant now stands convicted by a jury of his peers. Our Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure that violent offenders who threaten the public are held fully accountable.”
According to court records presented at trial, after escaping, Charles and his co-conspirators used a rideshare service in Georgia where they kidnapped the driver by forcefully restraining her with a rope around her neck and binding her hands. The defendants threatened her life as they drove into South Florida, forcing her to provide access to banking accounts which they used for purchases in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including securing a short-term rental residence.
When law enforcement located Charles driving the victim’s vehicle over 18 hours later, he attempted to flee on foot after abandoning the moving car but was apprehended following a chase through a construction site during which he discarded a semi-automatic handgun.
Charles was found guilty of kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, Hobbs Act robbery, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He faces up to life imprisonment on several counts and at least 15 years if deemed an armed career criminal under federal law; sentencing will be determined at a future date. Co-defendants Naod Yohannes and Yusuf Minor are scheduled for trial on March 30.
The FBI Miami Field Office led the investigation with assistance from multiple agencies including FBI Atlanta; U.S. Marshals Service Atlanta; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Miami Field Division; Martin County Sheriff’s Office; Broward Sheriff’s Office; and U.S. Marshals Service Miami.
