Indictments Unsealed in Shooting of Federal Judge, Robberies

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DETROIT, MI - The alleged triggerman and a second as-yet unnamed suspect in a March shooting and attempted robbery of a federal judge have been indicted.

Kevin Smith, 23, of Detroit was arraigned before Wayne County Third Circuit Judge Timothy M. Kenny in connection with the shooting of U.S. District Judge Terrance Berg at his home during a robbery attempt, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.

The second suspect wasn’t named, “as he is a cooperating witness with an agreement for special consideration,” according to the statement. The prosecutor said he has resolved two outstanding armed robbery cases, and a sentencing hearing is pending.

The indictment by a one-person grand jury charges Smith with multiple felony charges:

• Conspiracy to commit armed robbery from January to May 2015,
• Armed robbery,
• Assault with intent to murder,
• Felon in possession of a firearm and
• Felony firearm.

His bond was set at $500,000 cash/surety. His next court date is 8:30 a.m. Jan. 11.

Worthy said Smith and the other defendant arrived at the front door Berg’s home in Detroit’s University District about 9 p.m. on the night of March 5, 2015 and demanded entry. When the judge refused, Smith allegedly shot him once in the right leg with a large semi-automatic handgun, then fled with the other man without taking any property.

Smith is also implicated in a series of robberies that occurred in the University District and nearby areas of Detroit from January to May 2015, according to the statement.

An investigation by Detroit Police Department, Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crime Task Force after the judge’s shooting led to the arrest of Smith and the unnamed defendant in the assault of Berg, and as well as two others who weren’t named in the Berg case.

Timothy Russell and Dondiego Adams were charged in other cases involving home invasions and robberies that Worthy said “represent a string of as many as 13 robberies.”

“Many of the victims in these cases were senior citizens who had worked hard all of their lives, only to be assaulted and robbed in their homes,” Worthy said. “Each of the victims who participated in the investigations had to re-live the harrowing experience, causing great emotional distress. We owe them a debt of gratitude, for without their help, the prosecutions would not have been possible.”

Dondiego Adams, left, and Timothy Russell have been charged in a string of as many as 13 home invasions and robberies in Detroit’s University District and nearby areas. (Photos via Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office)