Roberts and Tawnney (Caldwell) Thomas — Bobby’s ex-wife — face possible death penalty cases. Four others were indicted in the conspiracy case in Dayton’s U.S. District Court.
RELATED: Feds: Local woman made $2.5 million in sex-for-money scheme
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Rose gave Roberts’ attorneys until Dec. 31 to provide to prosecutors “any mitigating evidence or argument that it intends to present regarding whether the death penalty should be sought.”
The judge also ordered that “if the U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to seek the death penalty, notice of that intent shall be filed and served” on Roberts by May 1, 2020.
A similar order has not been issued in Tawnney Thomas’ case, but more funds have been allowed for her attorneys to fight against capital punishment.
RELATED: 3 charged in connection with Jacob Caldwell’s disappearance
The others facing federal charges are Christopher Roberts and Chance Deakin (Sterling Roberts’ brothers) and Chandra Harmon and James Harmon (Tawnney Thomas’ mother and step-father).
Christopher Roberts is in jail on a bond violation, while Deakin was released from jail with conditions in January. Chandra Harmon and James Harmon are out on bond.
James Harmon’s trial is scheduled for April 29. None of the other defendants have trial dates after Rose ruled the case “unusual and complex.” Many court documents in the case are under seal.
RELATED: Lawsuit: Woman used escort service funds to help pay for murder of Beavercreek man
Other related updates:
• The three adults in the home where missing teen Jacob Caldwell (the son of Bobby Caldwell) was found are due for court appearances next month.
Donald Bell, 48, Jo Anne Henderson, 52, and Zacheriah Henderson, 23, have been charged with interference with custody, according to Miamisburg Municipal Court records. That charge is a first-degree misdemeanor. All are scheduled for pretrial conferences on April 2.
Jacob Caldwell disappeared not long after he and his two brothers saw their father shot to death in Riverside on Aug. 15, 2017. Jacob’s legal guardian at the time was his paternal grandmother.
WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT: Caldwell’s wife sues federal defendants, sheriff for husband’s death
Jacob was located Aug. 28, 2018, at a home on Spring Valley Pike in Miami Twp. Redacted court documents state that all three did “knowingly keep … a child under the age of 18 … at the residence for three months” and that the defendants were “aware that he was wanted by law enforcement as a missing child.”
• The lawsuit between Michigan millionaire George Helms and Lisa Thomas (Tawnney Thomas’ aunt) was settled out of court on Feb. 22, according to court documents.
Helms sued Thomas in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to dissolve an LLC they formed and to sell a Washington Twp. residence.
MORE ON JACOB CALDWELL: Missing teen found a year after witnessing his father’s death had run away before, records show
Thomas counter-sued, contending that she was an exclusive escort paid $30,000 per month by Helms and that the LLC was a way for her to get paid for her “love nest” or that it was a gift.
Both are being investigated for money laundering, conspiracy, illegal interstate sexual activity and tax crimes, according to federal court documents.
FROM MARCH 2018: Ex-wife, 5 others indicted in 2017 killing of Ohio man
RELATED: Court records show Riverside homicide suspect has history of mental, legal problems
COVERAGE FROM 2017: South Carolina officials say Riverside killing suspect’s charges more severe in Ohio
MORE: Read other stories from Mark Gokavi
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