In that robbery, the fifteen-year-old victim was struck in the face with a pistol. The robbers ultimately stole loose cash from the victims’ wallets as well as Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes the child was wearing.
INDIANAPOLIS – A federal jury has convicted Demetris Campbell, 29, Indianapolis, of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, four counts of aiding the interference with commerce by robbery, and three counts of aiding the brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, following a three-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, between July 19 and July 28 of 2020, Campbell orchestrated at least four armed robberies of victims whom Campbell lured to an apartment complex under the false premise that they could purchase items via the online marketplaces LetGo and OfferUp.
In the first robbery, Victims C.D., a fifteen-year-old boy, and R.G., his father, communicated with Campbell, who was using the account “Man with a Plan” (MWTP) on Offer Up, with the intent to purchase an iPhone 11. Campbell provided the victims with a prechosen Indianapolis address to which he lured them to complete the fake transaction. Campbell also provided victims with a phone number that he could be reached at for further communication. The parties agreed on a price for the iPhone. Upon the victims’ arrival, three males, including Campbell’s co-conspirator, Angel Montano, approached the vehicle, showing what appeared to be the iPhone 11. The three robbers then brandished pistols and demanded the victims’ money.
In that robbery, the fifteen-year-old victim was struck in the face with a pistol. The robbers ultimately stole loose cash from the victims’ wallets as well as Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes the child was wearing.
In the second robbery, Campbell used the same Offer Up account to lure a mother and her two young children to the same apartment complex. Once there, his coconspirator, Angel Montano, reached into her vehicle and placed the muzzle of a pistol against her thigh, while her two juvenile children were in the car. He then stole the victims’ iPhones and cash.
In the third robbery, which occurred on July 22, 2020, Campbell used the LetGo “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 11. 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, Victim D.I. participated in ongoing contact with Campbell who was using the “Tony Reed” account on OfferUp regarding the advertised sale of two iPhone 11 Pro Maxes for $1400. They ultimately arranged to meet on July 28 at a location near Adams and 21 Street in Indianapolis. Victim D.I. brought his brother, E.I. 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 E.I. and seriously wounding D.I.
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 of 2023, Montano was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, and IMPD investigated this case. Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt presided over the trial and will sentence Campbell at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany J. Preston and Carolyn A. Haney, who prosecuted this case.
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