U.S. Department
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Press Release
Press Release
Grand Jury Indicts Six with Charges Related to Murder
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio
Authorities Ask for Assistance in Locating Missing Child
DAYTON – A federal grand jury has charged six individuals with crimes related to the August 2017 murder of Robert Caldwell in an indictment returned here today. Two defendants are charged with death-penalty-eligible crimes.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson and Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Michael Brown announced the charges.
The FBI also announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of 14-year-old Jacob Lee Caldwell and the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in his disappearance.
Those charged in the indictment include:
|
Name |
Also Known As |
Age |
City of Residence |
|
*Sterling H. Roberts |
|
34 |
Spartanburg, S.C. |
|
*Tawnney M. Caldwell |
Tawnney Thomas |
33 |
Centerville, Ohio |
|
Chance P. Deakin |
Chance Roberts |
25 |
Dayton, Ohio |
|
Christopher C. Roberts |
|
30 |
Dayton, Ohio |
|
James T. Harmon |
|
55 |
Burlington, Ky. |
|
Chandra D. Harmon |
|
54 |
Burlington, Ky. |
* Charged with murder
According to the six-count indictment, from August 1 to August 5, Sterling Roberts cyberstalked Robert Caldwell via cell phone through the assistance of Tawnney Caldwell.
On August 15, Sterling Roberts allegedly used a firearm that he possessed illegally and traveled interstate to stalk and murder Robert Caldwell. Tawnney Caldwell, Deakin, Christopher Roberts and James Harmon are all charged with aiding and abetting the illegal gun possession.
It is alleged that Tawnney Caldwell obstructed justice by destroying the contents and data of a cell phone on that same day.
Tawnney Caldwell and Chandra Harmon also allegedly conspired to intimidate and threaten witnesses related to the case in November 2017.
Crimes charged in the indictment include:
|
Crime |
Potential Sentence |
|
Stalking – using mail, computer, cell phone |
Up to life in prison |
|
Felon in possession of a firearm |
Up to 10 years in prison |
|
Stalking – traveling interstate |
Up to life in prison |
|
Discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence |
Death penalty or up to life in prison |
|
Tampering with evidence |
Up to 20 years in prison |
|
Tampering with a witness by intimidation |
Up to 20 years in prison |
Five of the defendants were arrested on February 28. Sterling Roberts is currently in state custody in South Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Riverside and Sugarcreek Township police departments, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Sheila G. Lafferty and Amy M. Smith, who are prosecuting the case.
If you have any information related to the whereabouts of Jacob Caldwell, please call the Sugarcreek Township Police at 937-310-3200 or the FBI at 513-421-4310.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Updated March 13, 2018
Topic
Violent Crime
Component