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NEWS UPDATES

Monday, March 11, 2019

Alleged Altercation Involving a Pittsburgh Official - The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office continues to review the warrant request involving a Pittsburgh official in connection with an alleged altercation that occurred on March 6, 2019 at 12:17 a.m. at the Weston Book Cadillac Hotel. A charging decision is not expected today.

Detroit Man Charged with Possessing
Fighting Dogs and Animal Cruelty

On March 10, 2019 Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Julian Akyan, 29 (DOB:05/05/1989), of Detroit, in connection with possessing dogs used for fighting, cruelty to animals, and weapons offenses.

On March 8, 2019, at 12:50 p.m. an investigation was conducted by the Detroit Police Department and the Michigan Humane Society at a house in the 14000 block of Edmore and three other Detroit locations connected to the defendant. As a result, approximately 30 dogs were recovered with bite trauma and injuries consistent with dog fighting. It is alleged that the defendant possessed animals and equipment for the purpose of illegal dog fighting. It is further alleged that he possessed firearms and ammunition.

Akyan was charged with: 1) Felon in Possession of a Firearm (FIP); 2) FIP - Ammunition; 3) Animal Fighting; 4) Possession of Fighting Animals/Equipment; 5) Cruelty to 10 or More Animals; 6) Cruelty to four to 10 Animals; 7) Felony Firearm; 8) Felony Firearm; 9) Felony Firearm; 10) Felony Firearm; and 11) Felony Firearm.*

This morning Akyan was arraigned in 36th District Court and received a $50,000 10% bond, with a condition of no contact with animals. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for March 21, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for March 28, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Detroit Duo Charged in Auto Thefts

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Rodil Roberto Johnson-Smith, 23 (DOB: 10/15/1995), and Coriante Dewayne Harras, 27 (DOB: 11/07/1991), both of Detroit, in connection with the theft and unlawful driving away of two vehicles in Detroit.

On March 8, 2019 at approximately 9:15 a.m., Detroit police located a reported stolen vehicle in the area of Linwood and Lawton in Detroit that was unoccupied at the time. At 10:15 a.m. on the same day Johnson-Smith and Harras entered the vehicle, drove to the area of Sussex and Curtis and parked behind another vehicle. It is alleged that Defendant Harras entered the second vehicle and drove off.

Detroit police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the first vehicle driven by Johnson-Smith. Johnson -Smith is alleged to have increased his speed, disregarded lights and sirens, sideswiping vehicles before striking the retaining wall on I-75. Johnson-Smith fled the scene on foot, but was apprehended a short time later.

Investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the arrest of Harras in the second vehicle on the southbound Southfield Service Drive and West Seven Mile Road.

Each defendant has been charged with one count of Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property - Motor Vehicle and one count of Unlawful Driving Away of an Automobile. Both defendants were arraigned out-county on March 10, 2019 before Judge Bari Blake Wood. The Probable Cause Conferences are scheduled for March 20, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.; the Preliminary Examinations are scheduled for March 27, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. The hearings are before Judge William McConico in 36th District Court. Both defendants received a $10,000/cash/surety/10% bond. Please request a photograph of the defendants from the Detroit Police Department. Please request a photograph of the defendants from the Detroit Police Department.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Albert Weathers - Defendant charged in connection with the December 7, 2018 fatal shooting of a transgender woman on East McNichols and Brush Street in Detroit. The Preliminary Examination has been continued until Friday, March 29, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Michael Wagner in 36th District Court.

Alleged Altercation Involving a Pittsburgh Official - The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office continues to review the warrant request involving a Pittsburgh official in connection with an alleged altercation that occurred on March 6, 2019 at 12:17 a.m. at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. A charging decision is not expected today.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Harper Woods Woman Charged in Fatal Shooting

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Nija Monet Starke, 23 (DOB: 04/06/1995), in the fatal shooting of Eugene Jones, Jr., 44, both of Harper Woods. Starke and Jones have a child in common and were living together at the time of the homicide.

On March 10, 2019 at approximately 5:59 a.m., Harper Woods police received a 911 call requesting assistance in the 21400 block of Kingsville in Harper Woods, MI. Upon arrival, Harper Woods police found the defendant in the front room and discovered the victim on the bathroom floor, suffering from a gunshot wound. It is alleged that an altercation escalated and Starke fatally shot the victim. Medics were called to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Starke has been charged with First Degree Murder and Felony Firearm.* She was arraigned in 32-A District Court this morning before Judge Daniel Palmer. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for March 20, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Palmer in 32-A District Court in Harper Woods. The defendant received a $250,000 cash/surety bond. Please request a photograph of the Defendant from the Harper Woods Police.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Alleged Altercation Involving a Pittsburgh Official - The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office continues to review the warrant request involving a Pittsburgh official in connection with an alleged altercation that occurred on March 6, 2019 at 12:17 a.m. at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. A charging decision is not expected this week.

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