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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Detroit Man Charged with Threatening Man About His Sexual Orientation

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Steven Drake Edwards, 20 (DOB: 10/25/95), of Detroit, in connection with the felonious assault of 23-year-old Detroit man. On July 12, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the 22000 block of Lyndon, it is alleged that Edwards was driving in his car and yelling disparaging and threatening remarks while pointing a weapon at the upper body of the 23-year-old man as he walked down the street. The remarks made by Edwards were derogatory statements referring to the victim's sexual orientation. The victim was able to get away from Edwards.

Edwards is alleged to have posted the incident on Twitter. Investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the identification of Edwards. On July 17, 2016 he was charged with Felonious Assault, Carrying a Concealed Weapon in a Motor Vehicle and Felony Firearm. He was arraigned on Sunday and his probable cause hearing is on July 25, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.; his preliminary examination is on August 1, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge Langston in 36th District Court. The defendant received a $250,000 cash/surety bond.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Two Grosse Ile High Lacrosse Team Members Charged with Animal Cruelty

Today Prosecutor Kym Worthy has Tanner Coolsaet, 18 (DOB: 10/16/97), and Michael Roth, 17 (DOB: 8/23/98), both of Grosse Ile, with two counts each of Animals - Killing/Torturing and Conspiracy to Commit Killing/Torturing of Animals. All of the charges are felonies carrying a maximum four year penalty.

On April 30, 2016 at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Grosse Ile High School varsity lacrosse team met before a game. Two team members, Coolsaet and Roth, arrived at the meeting location and produced a box containing a guinea pig. Coolsaet had a knife and slit the guinea pig's throat. Roth grabbed the guinea pig and struck it with a small bat. The animal died shortly thereafter.

Prosecutor Worthy said, "The alleged facts in this case illustrate much more than a youthful prank or a pre-game antic. We must take these cases seriously."

Both defendants were arraigned this morning. The probable cause conference is scheduled for July 26, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for August 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge James Kersten in 33rd District Court. The defendants received a $5,000 personal bond - bond posted. They are not to consume alcohol or controlled substances, not to purchase or acquire animals or pets, and have a curfew from 11:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

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Rodolfo Benevides-Diaz - Former Principal of Western International High School pleaded no contest to Embezzlement over $1,000.00 and less than $20,000, for embezzling money from the Esperanza Detroit Non-Profit, an organization that provided in-house counselors to at-risk students. There is a sentence agreement to probation with $11,500 restitution to Esperanza Detroit. He will be sentenced on September 29, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Heise.

On July 11, 2016, his co-defendant Cecilia Zavala pleaded no contest to Embezzlement over $1000 and less than $20,000 and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. She will be sentenced on August 9, 2016 before Judge Heise.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Detroit Man Charged in Homicide of 81-Year-Old Man

Today Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Tywaun Tramel Coakley, 42 (DOB: 12/3/73), of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of Roberto Ybarra, 81, also of Detroit. On July 17, 2016 at 9:35 a.m., it is alleged that Defendant Coakley was in the 1600 block of West Lafayette when he stole a car from a victim and drove away in the car. Shortly thereafter, the defendant fatally struck and killed Mr. Ybarra while he was standing by his car in the 1600 block of West Lafayette. If is further alleged that the defendant failed to stop after striking Mr. Ybarra, but was later apprehended by the police on Howard Street.

The defendant has been charged with Felony Murder, Manslaughter Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop at Accident Resulting in Death and Felonious Assault. He was arraigned and remanded to jail at 10:30 a.m. today in 36th District Court before Magistrate Charles Anderson. He will have his probable cause hearing on July 27, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. and his preliminary examination on August 2, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., both before Judge Kenneth King.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Detroit Man Charged in Two Gas Station Robberies

Defendant Impersonated Fire Extinguisher Inspector

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Shawn Daniel Ellesin, 45, (DOB: 02/06/1971) of Detroit, in connection with the robbery of two gas stations where he is alleged to have impersonated a Detroit Fire Department official.

June 20, 2016 Robbery Allegations and Charges

On June 20, 2016 at approximately 8:00 a.m., it is alleged that the defendant went to a gas station located at 1 East State Fair Street in Detroit and presented himself as a fire extinguisher inspector. A clerk allowed the defendant behind the safety glass for the alleged inspection. The defendant is alleged to have picked up the firearm, put it in his pocket and left the station. The incident was captured on the station's video surveillance system.

Ellesin has been charged with Larceny of a Firearm, Larceny in a Building, Felon in Possession, Felony Firearm and Impersonating a Firefighter. He is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in 36th District Court.

July 12, 2016 Robbery Allegations and Charges

On July 12, 2016 at approximately 9:00 a.m., it is alleged that the defendant went to a gas station in the 4000 block of Woodward in Detroit, presented himself to the clerk as a fire extinguisher inspector and needed access to the equipment. The clerk gave the defendant access to the equipment. It is alleged that while he was in an office, the defendant removed U.S. currency from the office and left the location. The incident was captured on video surveillance.

Ellesin has been charged with Larceny in a Building and Impersonating a Firefighter. He was arraigned this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. before Magistrate Bari Blake Wood in 36th District Court. The probable cause conference is scheduled for July 28, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for August 3, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before 36th District Court Judge Kenneth King. Ellesin received a $50,000/10% bond.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Dearborn Heights Man Charged in Detroit Fatal Stabbing on Oakfield Street

Prosecutor Worthy has charged Thomas Dominick Czapiewski, 32 (DOB: 4/21/84), of Dearborn Heights, in connection with the fatal stabbing of Jalen Davis, 20, of Detroit. On July 20, 2016 at approximately 5:30 a.m., the defendant and the victim were drinking at a home of the defendant's girlfriend, located in the 18400 block of Oakfield in Detroit. There was a brief argument and the defendant hit Davis. After punching Davis, the defendant fell and became more upset. It is alleged that the defendant went to the kitchen, retrieved a knife and fatally stabbed Davis in the neck.

Czapiewski has been charged with Second Degree Murder. He was arraigned this afternoon in 36th District Court before Magistrate Dawn White. The probable cause conference is scheduled for July 29, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for August 5, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. Both hearings are before Judge Nance-Adams in 36th District Court.

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