Kidnapping conspiracy: Five convicted in abduction of Detroit man from viral $100K video

article

An unknown suspect, left with Ieasha Stroman. Courtesy of court filing.

FOX 2 - Five people have been convicted in a kidnapping conspiracy of a relative who was gifted $100,000 after a chance encounter with a social media influencer.

The backstory:

The plot involved victim Curtis Dixon kidnapped and driven to ATMs to withdraw money. He was then beaten, tied up and his car set ablaze - with him inside.

Pleading guilty to kidnapping conspiracy and federal firearms charges were:

Roland Chatmon, 37, of Detroit
Leica Lopez Martinez, 33, of Lake Orion
Ieasha Stroman, 38, of Pontiac
Dneiqua Stroman, 43, of Pontiac

A fifth suspect, Kenneth Anderson, 54, of Pontiac had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Roland Terrell Chatmon is Dixon's nephew - his mother is the sister of Dixon's wife.

With their guilty pleas, Chatmon, Lopez Martinez, Ieasha Stroman, and Dneiqua Stroman all face a mandatory minimum sentences of seven years in federal prison and maximum possible sentences of life imprisonment.

Anderson was previously sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution.

MDMotivator rewards Dixon

The backstory:

Dixon found himself in the spotlight after acting as a Good Samaritan and being recognized by influencer Zach Dereniowski who goes by MDMotivator in late August, 2025.

Dixon helped a man who appeared to be blind, which was actually Dereniowski who said he was the "first kind person to help him."

To reward him for his good deed, MDMotivator raised money for the uncle and gave him over $100,000, a new car, and other gifts.

Kidnapping plot gets hatched

Timeline:

Dixon's Denali SUV remains after the fire.

Investigators say a plan was hatched with a phone call from Chatmon's brother who was serving time in Wayne County Jail.

On Aug. 20, Chatmon allegedly said in a recorded conversation "I said that ***** better not make me turn a hustle." Chatmon said that Dixon received a brand-new car, a "crib," and "100 racks."

On August 22, 2025, Chatmon stated to his brother that he was "trying to figure some s**t out," because he had to borrow some "cheese." Chatmon stated he was struggling, and that, "I need some racks real quick. I’m tired of this s**t."

A follow-up call on Aug. 24 was a three-way call involving Chatmon, his brother and his mother.

On the recording, Chatmon's brother said, "Twin it's time to come out of retirement baby." Chatmon responded "Hey man, I can get a couple portions of those dollars."

Dixon gets kidnapped

At left, two suspects approaching a bank ATM, at right, suspect Leica Doreen Lopez Martinez.

On Sept. 1, police responded to a reported home invasion at Dixon's residence in Southwest Detroit. Dixon's wife reported two armed suspects pointed a gun at her, tied her up and stole a safe.

At around the same time, DPD responded to a vehicle fire on the east side near Mount Elliot and Nevada.

Dixon told police he was robbed at gunpoint and tied up in the back of his SUV, driven to multiple locations including ATMs. He told police he was also driven to his home to steal a safe.

Dixon was found on the ground near his GMC Yukon Denali that was engulfed in flames when police arrived. Witnesses said they pulled him out from inside.

Investigators learned that Dixon was allegedly lured into the trap by Leica Doreen Lopez Martinez who, on Vernor, asked him for a ride, claiming her car broke down.

After transporting her to the area of Filer Avenue on the east side, Dixon was ambushed by an additional man and female suspects.

His hands and feet were bound, a shirt placed over his head and the additional suspects demanded "money or they would kill his wife."

From there, multiple stops were made with Dixon bound in the back of the SUV to withdraw money, as well as a stop at his residence.

Federal investigators say that cellular phone data was used to track the suspect's locations throughout the incident along with surveillance cameras from gas stations, banks and ATMs.

Post kidnapping call

An unknown suspect, left with Ieasha Stroman. Courtesy of court filing.

More Details:

On September 1, Chatmon’s brother called him again from jail. In that call, Chatmon said "They done got the old YN man. . . . They done got (Dixon's) a** dawg. Somebody got that ***** bro. . . . They caught the ***** with his pants down."

Investigators say on the recording Chatmon gave his brother details about the kidnapping.

His brother then remarked that they kidnapped Dixon for some "cheese he ain’t even got yet?" Chatmon responded that they got him for something "light."

On Sept. 6, Chatmon's brother called him again from jail and Chatmon referred to Dnequia Stroman as a family member while also talking about Lopez Martinez.

Chatmon's brother then said that (Dixon) better "get right" or it could be another "episode."

Chatmon stated he told their mother those "YNs" and "Young b**ches" going to "get on his a** again."

On Sept. 25, ATF agents executed search warrants finding drugs and guns among the recovered evidence including items from the stolen safe.

Dixon benefited from a crowdfunding campaign that raised over $100,000 for him along with other gifts including $5,000 from Dereniowski, a new car and $2,500 from American Jewelry and Loan where he was planning to pawn his wedding ring to pay his utility bill.

The ATF and United States Attorney’s Office led the investigation. On September 25, 2025, the ATF executed search warrants at five residences in Detroit, Rochester Hills, and Pontiac, and arrested all the suspects.