Two men were taken into custody on Monday for allegedly impersonating Olmsted County sergeants and defrauding residents by collecting money in person.
Demonte Brazil, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Gabriel Weatherspoon, 23, of South Bend, Indiana, now face charges of theft by swindle and false impersonation with the intent to defraud in Olmsted County Court.
The case began on April 29 when Rochester police met with a woman who reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be “Sgt. Rossman” of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. The caller falsely informed her that she had missed a court date and would be arrested if she did not pay outstanding bond. It’s worth noting that a Lieutenant Rossman had retired from the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office in 2023.
According to court documents, the woman then met a second man, who posed as a bail bondsman, across the street from the Olmsted County Government Center, and handed him $10,000 in cash. About an hour later, she became concerned and gave him an additional $6,000, believing she was paying for legal help.
Realizing she may have been scammed, the woman contacted Rochester police and provided a description of the man who collected the money. Surveillance footage was reviewed, leading to a traffic stop on April 30, where Weatherspoon was identified as the driver who dropped Brazil off to collect the money.
The victim later confirmed that Brazil was indeed the man to whom she gave the total of $16,000.
Both Brazil and Weatherspoon are currently held at the Olmsted County ADC on $500,000 bail with or without conditions. Brazil’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 14, while Weatherspoon’s is set for May 15.
Additionally, court documents reveal that Weatherspoon has an outstanding warrant from Johnson County, Iowa, related to ongoing criminal conduct, identity theft over $10,000, and impersonating a public official.