DETROIT, MICHIGAN | CRIME | November 7, 2026
Quick Take
- Five people have now been convicted in a plot to kidnap and rob Curtis Dixon, a Detroit man who went viral after helping YouTuber MDMotivator.
- Federal prosecutors say the plot was organized by Dixon’s nephew, Roland Chatmon, after he learned about the six-figure gift.
- Four defendants face at least seven years in federal prison, with sentencing set for early 2027.
What’s happening?
Four more defendants have pleaded guilty in the case of a Detroit good Samaritan who was beaten, robbed and left beside his burning SUV. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan says Roland Chatmon, 37, Leica Lopez Martinez, Ieasha Stroman and Dneiqua Stroman pleaded guilty to kidnapping conspiracy and federal firearms charges.
A fifth defendant, Anderson, pleaded guilty earlier. Prosecutors say he helped move money from Dixon’s Cash App account into the group’s own accounts. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution.
Chatmon is Dixon’s nephew. His mother is the sister of Dixon’s wife.
Where and when?
The story started in August 2025. Zach Dereniowski, known online as MDMotivator, pretended to be a blind man in need of help, and Dixon offered him what little money he had. Dereniowski then raised money and gave Dixon more than $100,000, a GMC Yukon Denali and other gifts.
Investigators say the plot began with a phone call from Chatmon’s brother, who was in the Wayne County Jail. In recorded calls, the brothers talked about the money Dixon had received.
On September 1, 2025, prosecutors say Lopez Martinez flagged Dixon down on Vernor Highway and asked for a ride, claiming her car had broken down. Chatmon guided the group by phone. An armed man and woman then confronted Dixon and threatened to kill his wife if he did not hand over money.
Dixon was driven to ATMs to withdraw cash. At his home, the group tied up his wife and stole a safe. Dixon was beaten and tied up, and his SUV was set on fire. Witnesses said they pulled him from the vehicle before police arrived. His wife got free and called for help.
Who feels it most?
Dixon and his wife were attacked by people they trusted, over money he received for a simple act of kindness. Relatives were among those who planned the attack, which has made the case especially painful for the family.
The case has also prompted questions about what happens after people go viral receiving large sums of cash, since their windfall becomes public knowledge.
What should you do?
If you receive a large gift, inheritance or settlement, limit who knows the amount and keep large sums in a bank instead of at home. Be careful with strangers asking for rides or help, especially soon after your name or face has been in the news.
If you are ever threatened or forced to withdraw money, comply to stay safe and contact police as soon as you can.
What comes next?
Within a month of the attack, ATF agents raided five homes in Detroit, Rochester Hills and Pontiac and arrested all five suspects. With their guilty pleas, Chatmon, Lopez Martinez and the two Stromans each face a mandatory minimum of seven years in federal prison and up to life. All four are scheduled to be sentenced in early 2027.
By the Numbers
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Gift from MDMotivator | More than $100,000 |
| Attack date | September 1, 2025 |
| Defendants convicted | 5 |
| Minimum federal sentence | 7 years |
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