Robert Snell
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Federal courts reporter @detroitnews. Covering crime, slime and the dark side of business
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Articles by Robert Snell
Feds unveil new crackdown on fraud in nation's trucking industry
MICHIGAN Robert Snell The Detroit News Aug. 31, 2026, 12:06 p.m. ET View Comments Federal officials in Detroit announced a broad crackdown on fraud within the trucking industry Aug. 31 that includes immediately shutting down more than 100 truck-driving schools in an attempt to boost safety on America’s roads and prevent injuries and deaths.
Nessel's office probes missing $1.1M at Arab chamber after leader fired
BUSINESS Robert Snell Craig Mauger Beth LeBlanc The Detroit News Updated Aug. 25, 2026, 5:03 p.m. ET View Comments American Arab Chamber of Commerce officials are investigating whether former executive director Bilal Hammoud rerouted almost $1.1 million of the organization's funds into an account that he controlled, three sources told The Detroit News. The details emerged as the chamber's chairman, Ahmad Chebbani, met with investigators from Attorney General Dana Nessel's office on Aug.
Michigan terrorist wannabe used AI to plot Halloween attack, feds say
By Robert Snell, The Detroit News DETROIT - Evidence suggests a wanna-be Islamic State terrorist from Dearborn used artificial intelligence to help plan a mass shooting while helping scout targets that included Cedar Point and a Ferndale dance club, according to federal prosecutors.
Michigan terrorist wannabe used AI to plot Halloween attack, feds say
DETROIT - Evidence suggests a wanna-be Islamic State terrorist from Dearborn used artificial intelligence to help plan a mass shooting while helping scout targets that included Cedar Point and a Ferndale dance club, according to federal prosecutors.
Mid-Michigan bomb bust raises terror, constitutional questions
A mid-Michigan motorist is fighting to suppress a trunk full of trouble in a federal criminal case that raises questions about whether investigators trampled on his constitutional rights and thwarted a terrorism plot after discovering a bomb built out of a bottle of booze.
Nudes and sex dominate Kingdom of God church case with David Taylor
WAYNE COUNTY Robert Snell The Detroit News Updated Aug. 7, 2026, 11:09 a.m. ET View Comments A new indictment filed against Kingdom of God Global Church "apostle" David Taylor portrays him as a money-hungry amateur pornographer who directed dozens of female church workers — including teenagers — to perform sex acts and send custom-ordered nudes.
Immigration crackdown catches accused killer Downriver
The crackdown on illegal immigration in Metro Detroit led to federal charges Thursday against a Honduran man wanted abroad in a homicide case. The criminal case against 30-year-old Michael Jamblyck Costly Bennett marks an infrequent instance of a criminal arrest on illegal immigration charges of someone accused or previously convicted of a violent crime.
Feds in Matt Weiss case will appeal tossed evidence as UM trial looms
Federal prosecutors in Detroit signaled Thursday they will appeal a judge throwing out digital evidence seized by investigators in the hacking case against former University of Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss.
Feds reveal new target in Muskegon Heights corruption probe
State and federal investigators who raided Muskegon Heights City Hall last week are targeting at least three people, including City Manager/Fire Chief Shawn Roberson, his real estate partner and an ex-con freed from prison by President Joe Biden, The Detroit News has learned.
Learn more about the Muskegon Heights corruption and drug probe
MICHIGAN Robert Snell July 29, 2026, 9:00 p.m. ET Clockwise from left: Muskegon Heights City Manager Shawnderick Roberson, Javon Brewer and Lakento Smith. LinkedIn, MDOC, U.S. Attorney's Office Lakento Smith U.S. District Court The meeting between an alleged drug kingpin, left, and an undercover federal agent, was recorded and showed the transfer of $80,000, according to the government. The government obscured the accused drug dealer's face because he has not been charged in the case.
Michael Wendt indicted by feds in Grosse Ile child porn case
A Grosse Ile man facing several child pornography-related charges was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday, as expected, a week after investigators searched his upscale island home amid a broader crackdown on sex crimes in Michigan.
Dearborn terror case evidence thin in Ayob Nasser bond fight
DETROIT - Evidence that a Dearborn man is dangerous is thin, his lawyers said Tuesday while requesting bond amid a broader terrorism crackdown in which prosecutors recently secured the government's first conviction. Ayob Nasser, 20, asked U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith to be released from pretrial detention after spending nearly nine months in jail in connection with what federal prosecutors and the FBI have called a failed terrorism plot over Halloween weekend in Metro Detroit.
Lawyers: Dearborn terror case evidence thin in Ayob Nasser bond fight
Evidence that a Dearborn man is dangerous is thin, his lawyers said Tuesday while requesting bond amid a broader terrorism crackdown in which prosecutors recently secured the government's first conviction. Ayob Nasser, 20, asked U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith to be released from pretrial detention after spending nearly nine months in jail in connection with what federal prosecutors and the FBI have called a failed terrorism plot over Halloween weekend in Metro Detroit.
Lawyers: Dearborn terror case evidence thin in Ayob Nasser bond fight
Evidence that a Dearborn man is dangerous is thin, his lawyers said Tuesday while requesting bond amid a broader terrorism crackdown in which prosecutors recently secured the government's first conviction.
Lawyers: Dearborn terror case evidence thin in Ayob Nasser bond fight
DETROIT — Evidence that a Dearborn man is dangerous is thin, his lawyers said Tuesday while requesting bond amid a broader terrorism crackdown in which prosecutors recently secured the government's first conviction. Ayob Nasser, 20, asked U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith to be released from pretrial detention after spending nearly nine months in jail in connection with what federal prosecutors and the FBI have called a failed terrorism plot over Halloween weekend in Metro Detroit.
Grosse Ile man learns bond fate in child porn case
A Grosse Ile man facing several child pornography-related charges was ordered held without bond Friday, four days after FBI agents raided his home on the affluent island in the latest case filed amid an increase of sex crimes in Michigan. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Altman concluded there were no bond conditions — including computer monitoring, home detention and a GPS tether — to protect the public from Michael Wendt, a 38-year-old physician assistant in Wayne County.
Grosse Ile man learns bond fate in child porn case
A Grosse Ile man facing several child pornography-related charges was ordered held without bond Friday, four days after FBI agents raided his home on the affluent island in the latest case filed amid an increase of sex crimes in Michigan.
Michigan native freed by Biden hit with new federal drug charge
A convicted drug dealer from Muskegon whose 30-year sentence was commuted last year by President Joe Biden was charged Thursday with conspiring to launder drug money in a separate case.
For Better or Worse: The Complicated Marriage of EMS and the Fire Service
Perspectives Editor’s Note: Tracey Loscar, BA, NRP, FP-C, a member of the EMS World Editorial Advisory Board, wrote the opposing opinion to this article. Read it here. A 35-year-old woman is riding in the passenger seat of a sedan on U.S. 1 just north of St. Augustine, Florida. The last thing she will remember is the impact. The call goes out as an MVC with entrapment.
Immigrant Sea-Doo-jacked his way across St. Clair River into U.S., feds say
An Albanian man accused of Sea-Doo-jacking his way into the U.S. appears to have livestreamed the illegal trip across the St. Clair River from Canada while lip-syncing a hip-hop track, according to a federal criminal case unsealed Friday.
$3B Motown sports project near Detroit airport is a scam, feds say
WAYNE COUNTY Robert Snell The Detroit News Updated July 16, 2026, 1:35 p.m. ET View Comments A $3 billion youth sports and family entertainment campus planned for a site next to Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus is a scam, the FBI alleged Thursday as prosecutors arrested and charged the developer with orchestrating an investment fraud scheme.
Tom Durham church sex scandal in Macomb widens as feds charge 2nd man
A Macomb County sex scandal involving a church choir leader and popular gospel singer widened Thursday as federal prosecutors filed charges against a second man accused of conspiring to sexually exploit a 17-year-old girl.
UAW president hires criminal defense team amid federal grand jury probe
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, who is being investigated by a federal grand jury , has hired two former federal prosecutors who specialize in fraud and bribery cases and work as defense lawyers for a Washington, D.C., firm with a stable of high-profile clients, including trillionaire Elon Musk and former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
UAW's Fain hires criminal defense team amid federal grand jury probe | Exclusive
July 13, 2026, 8:38 p.m. ET United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, who is being investigated by a federal grand jury, has hired two former federal prosecutors who specialize in fraud and bribery cases and work as defense lawyers for a Washington, D.C., firm with a stable of high-profile clients, including trillionaire Elon Musk and former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
UAW's Fain assessing 'legal options' after report says DOJ probing him
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said he is assessing his legal options after a report that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating claims he pressured another high-ranking union official to secure benefits for his fiancée and her sister. Fain called the allegations "false." A federal grand jury has issued a subpoena to the court's union watchdog, according to Bloomberg News, citing internal communications within the Detroit-based labor group.
UAW's Fain assessing 'legal options' after report says DOJ probing him
AUTOS Breana Noble Luke Ramseth Robert Snell The Detroit News July 12, 2026, 6:49 p.m. ET View Comments United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said he is assessing his legal options after a report that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating claims he pressured another high-ranking union official to secure benefits for his fiancée and her sister.
Judge refuses to toss Matt Weiss case as Michigan hacking trial looms Original
WOLVERINES Robert Snell The Detroit News July 6, 2026, 3:02 p.m. ET View Comments A federal judge Monday refused to dismiss several charges in the computer hacking indictment against former University of Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, less than one week after throwing out digital evidence seized by investigators. The order by U.S. District Judge David Lawson preserves a high-profile criminal case set for trial Sept.
Taryn Asher wants judge to free her from Fox 2 Detroit to join rival
Updated July 2, 2026, 11:22 a.m. ET Fired Fox 2 Detroit news anchor Taryn Asher filed a new version of her sex discrimination lawsuit against the station in federal court Thursday that seeks a court order allowing her to immediately join a rival news station in Metro Detroit. Asher does not currently have a job offer but her agent, Mort Meisner, has met with representatives from competing broadcasters, he told The Detroit News on Thursday.
Arsenal in Macomb County threats case sought by FBI terror team
July 2, 2026, 12:02 a.m. ET FBI counter-terrorism agents cannot find a missing arsenal of shotguns, rifles and handguns bought by a Macomb County man as investigators said he possessed what appeared to be improvised explosive devices, vowed to commit mass murder and endorsed massacring Muslims.
Feds say Macomb man vowed to commit mass shooting amid FBI probe
Feds say Macomb man vowed to commit mass shooting amid FBI probe Robert Snell, The Detroit News Thu, July 2, 2026 at 4:02 AM UTC 1 / 0 Feds say Macomb man vowed to commit mass shooting amid FBI probe FBI investigators say a rifle seized from Eleazareli Maycock contained the phrase "There is no God" written in white paint marker on the stock.
Feds say Macomb man vowed to commit mass shooting amid FBI probe
MACOMB COUNTY Robert Snell July 2, 2026, 12:02 a.m. ET FBI investigators say a rifle seized from Eleazareli Maycock contained the phrase "There is no God" written in white paint marker on the stock. FBI Detroit Eleazareli Maycock New Baltimore Police FBI investigators say a rifle seized from Eleazareli Maycock contained the phrase "There is no God" written in white paint marker on the stock.
Ionia Twp. official Marilyn Harp charged with fraud totaling $747K
Robert Snell, The Detroit News Thu, July 2, 2026 at 12:45 AM UTC Ionia Twp. official Marilyn Harp charged with fraud totaling $747K Former Ionia Township Treasurer Marilyn Harp, 74, is accused of fraudulently withdrawing more than $747,000 in taxpayer money to build herself a vacation home and pay bills, according to federal court records.
Judge tosses evidence seized in Matt Weiss Univ. of Michigan hacking case Original
WOLVERINES Robert Snell Angelique S. Chengelis The Detroit News Updated July 1, 2026, 6:02 p.m. ET View Comments A federal judge Wednesday threw out digital evidence seized from computers in the hacking case against former University of Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss after his attorneys said the material was illegally obtained, but refused to toss evidence FBI agents seized from Weiss' iCloud account.
Official in Michigan's Ionia Township stole $747,000 in long-run con, feds say
DETROIT - A township treasurer in rural mid-Michigan fraudulently withdrew more than $747,000 in taxpayer money to build herself a vacation home and pay bills, according to federal court records that chronicle a rare and unusually lucrative public corruption case in west Michigan.
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