Date: 10-28-2014

Case Style: United States of America v. David Briley, Shaheed Calhoun, Orlando Johnson, and Nathaniel Pembrook

Case Number: 2:14-cr-20525-LJM-MKM

Judge: Laurie J. Michelson

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Plaintiff's Attorney: Daniel Lemisch and Chris Graveline

Defendant's Attorney: Harold Z. Gurewitz for Shaeed Calhoun

Ronald E. Kaplovitz for Orlando Johnson

Loren E. Khogali - FPD for Nathaniel Pembrook

William W. Swor for David Briley

Rafael C. Villarruel - FPD for nathaniel Pembrook

Description: Charges against three more members of a Philadelphia-based armed robbery crew were unsealed Tuesday on charges relating to two Michigan jewelry store robberies, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, Sheriff Larry Stelma, Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Chief Michael Patton, West Bloomfield Police Department.

David Briley, 45, Shaheed Calhoun, 35, and Orlando Johnson, 40, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, join Nathaniel Pembrook, 42, who was initially charged in September 2014, with charges relating to armed jewelry store robberies here in Michigan on April 22, 2014.

According to the indictment, Briley, Calhoun, Johnson, and Pembrook robbed two jewelry stores. The first robbery took place at Medawar Jewelers located on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids. The second robbery took place at Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry located on Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield. In both robberies, the robbers entered the stores during business hours with their faces covered or partially covered and brandished a firearm while ordering employees and customers to the floor. During the robbery at Medawar Jewelers, Pembrook was shot in the arm by one of the store owners. Blood recovered from the scene in Grand Rapids was DNA tested and determined to be that of Nathaniel Pembrook.

United States McQuade, stated, "This case is an excellent example of the value of collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement. We are grateful for the diligence of all of our partners in investigating this case so that these charges could be filed."

“As reflected by the indictments, FBI Detroit—along with our federal, state and local partners—remains dedicated to the pursuit and apprehension of those responsible for these acts of violence,” stated Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The continued, multi-jurisdictional collaboration between law enforcement resulted in the indictment of David Briley, Shaheed Calhoun, and Orlando Johnson for their involvement in these violent robberies, and we will maintain our resolve as we continue to thoroughly investigate this case.”

“Investigators in this case have been relentless. It should send a powerful message to the criminals within our community that justice will prevail,” stated Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma.

"The entire West Bloomfield community is grateful for the great law enforcement partnership that has led to the continuing federal indictments related to these very serious crimes. As the investigation continues, this partnership remains devoted to bringing everyone that played a role in these incidents to justice," said Chief Michael Patton.

All four men have been charged with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. If convicted on all charges, they will all face up to life in federal prison.

All four men were arrested in Pennsylvania. Pembrook is currently detained here in Michigan awaiting trial. Johnson, Briley and Calhoun are currently awaiting removal to Detroit for his arraignment on the charges.

The case was investigated by the West Bloomfield Police Department, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of Special Agents with the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, and state and local law enforcement officers with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office; the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections, Parole; and the Bloomfield Twp., Auburn Hills, Royal Oak , Southfield, and Waterford Twp. Police Departments.

Outcome: See Above

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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