Two charged in warrant scam that netted $16,000
May 2—ROCHESTER — Two people face charges in Olmsted County for scamming a woman of $16,000 in an arrest warrant scam.
Demonte Tequis Brazil, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Gabriel Jude Weatherspoon, 21, of South Bend, Indiana, are each charged with felony counts of theft by swindle and falsely impersonating another.
According to the criminal complaints filed against both men:
Rochester police met with a woman Monday, April 29, 2024, who said she'd received a phone call that morning from someone identifying themselves as Sgt. Rossman of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. The person told the woman she had missed a court date and she would be arrested if she didn't pay an outstanding bond.
The woman met with a person outside the Olmsted County Government Center who collected $10,000 in cash from her. The woman provided another $6,000 about an hour later. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the area and found the person they say matches the woman's description and the vehicle the man got into and identified Weatherspoon as the driver who dropped off Brazil to collect the money.
The next day, Tuesday, April 30, police stopped the vehicle that Weatherspoon was driving, and Brazil was the front-seat passenger. The woman also identified Brazil as the person she handed the money to from a photo lineup.
Brazil was booked at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. His initial appearance on the charges is May 14.
Weatherspoon is also being held at the ADC on $500,000 bond with his initial appearance scheduled for May 15.
