Authorities said Janssen's daughter Colleen was targeted by an imprisoned Bloods gang member - 49-year-old Kelvin Melton - who allegedly masterminded the kidnapping from his jail cell in Butner. Colleen Janssen was the prosecutor who sent Melton to prison on a life sentence.
The indictment says the group that Melton hired originally intended to kidnap a defense attorney, but later aborted that plan. The target was switched to Colleen Janssen, but the kidnappers Googled the wrong house, and grabbed her father on April 5 instead.
A federal grand jury handed up nine indictments in the case Tuesday. In addition to Melton, the group charged includes:
- Jenna Paulin Martin, 21
- Tiana Maynard - AKA "Tiana Brooks," 21
- Jevante Price - AKA "Flame," 21
- Michael Montreal Gooden - AKA "Hot," 22
- Clifton James Roberts, 29
- Jakym Camek Tibbs -AKA "Jak," 21
- Quantavious Thompson - AKA "Quan," 18
- Patricia Kramer (not in custody)
The group allegedly used a Taser to subdue Janssen and then drove him to an apartment in Atlanta. The indictment alleges he was pistol whipped and stunned dozens of times while handcuffed.
The indictment says Melton arranged to pay the kidnappers $10,000 each.
Once in Atlanta, the kidnappers started making demands to the Janssen family by text message. The messages included a photo of him tied to a chair in a closet and said he would be killed if the demands weren't met.
A special FBI team located and rescued Janssen April 10.
All nine defendants face federal kidnapping and firearm charges. If convicted, they face the possibility of a maximum sentence of life without parole and a $250,000 fine.
