Date: 12-02-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Demetris Campbell

Case Number: 1:20CR-194

Judge: Tanya Walton Pratt

Court: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Plaintiff's Attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office for Indianapolis

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Indianapolis, Indiana criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Four Violent Online Marketplace Robberies, Including a Fatal Shooting
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to Fifty Years in Federal Prison for Four Violent Online Marketplace Robberies, Including a Fatal Shooting

Demetris Campbell, 29, of Indianapolis, accused of engaging in a commercial robbery conspiracy, four counts of aiding commercial robbery, and three counts of aiding the brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Campbell was convicted by a federal jury in June 2024.

Between July 19 and 28, 2020, Campbell orchestrated at least four armed robberies of victims he lured to an apartment complex via the online marketplaces LetGo and OfferUp under the false premise that they were meeting to complete a sale. Campbell conspired with others to execute the robberies, including Angel Montano.

On July 19, 2020, a fifteen-year-old boy and his father agreed to purchase an iPhone from Campbell, who was using the account “Man with a Plan” on Offer Up. Campbell lured the victims to an address in Indianapolis to complete the fake transaction. When the victims arrived, three people, including Campbell and Angel Montano, approached the vehicle, and showed the victims what appeared to be an iPhone. The robbers then brandished pistols and demanded the victims’ money, striking the fifteen-year-old child in the face with a pistol. The robbers ultimately stole the victims’ cash for the purchase and from their wallets, as well as the Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes the child was wearing.

The next day, Campbell used the same Offer Up account to lure a mother and her two young children to the same apartment complex. When these victims arrived, Montano reached into her vehicle and placed the muzzle of a pistol against her body, while her two children were still in the car. He then stole the victims’ iPhones and cash.

Two days later, on July 22, 2020, Campbell used a LetGo account under the name of “Simone” to lure a woman to the same apartment complex under the false premise that she was going to be able to purchase an iPhone. Upon her arrival, Angel Montano brandished a pistol and stated “I’ll shoot you! Give me the cash!” She complied by giving him $560 in cash that she had brought for the transaction, as well as her Samsung cell phone.

Between July 21 and 28 of 2020, another victim participated in ongoing contact with Campbell who was using an account in the name of “Tony Reed” on OfferUp regarding the advertised sale of two iPhones for $1400. They ultimately arranged to meet on July 28 at a location near Adams and 21st Street in Indianapolis. This victim brought his brother with him to meet and complete the transaction. Upon their arrival, the brothers felt uneasy and attempted to leave. Angel Montano then blocked them with his car, approached their vehicle, and fired into it killing the purchaser’s brother and seriously wounding the purchaser. Campbell was present with Montano, and watched the shooting occur.

The following morning, on July 29, 2020, IMPD officers arrested Campbell after tracing his name and location to the fake usernames used in the robberies. It was later discovered that Campbell was coordinating the schemes with Angel Montano, then selling the stolen phones and splitting the profit.

In February 2023, Montano was sentenced to forty years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of commercial robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

“The man who was taken from his family by these vicious criminals should still be here today. His brother should never have been shot, and the other victims—including multiple children—should never have suffered the traumas inflicted on them by these men,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “For years, violent criminals have been using online marketplaces like OfferUp and LetGo to lure victims to armed robberies, resulting in multiple shootings and deaths. Most local police departments will allow people to use their properties as a safe place to meet when buying and selling online, which can help keep everyone safe during these transactions. You often don’t know who is on the other end of an online communication, or what their intentions might be, and exercising caution with these transactions could save your life. I want to thank the FBI, U.S. Marshals, IMPD and our federal prosecutors for their work to secure a measure of justice for the victims and ensure that these violent offenders will never again menace our community.”

“This lengthy sentence sends a clear message that any form of violence or exploitation on online marketplaces will not be tolerated. This string of crimes and the senseless death resulting from them are an unfortunate reminder of the real-world consequences that can result from crimes committed in the digital space,” said Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding those who exploit online marketplaces for criminal activity accountable. No one using legitimate online services should ever have to fear for their safety.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany J. Preston and Carolyn A. Haney, who prosecuted this case, as well as the Victim Witness Coordinators and Paralegal Specialist who supported this trial.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to fifty years in federal prison, followed by the maximum period of supervised release

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Defendant's Experts:

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