By Rob Wolchek and David Komer
Robert Shumake is a figure known for constantly reinventing himself—whether as a businessman, author, or spiritual leader of a church. However, one constant in his life seems to be trouble. FOX 2 has reported extensively on Shumake, with journalist Rob Wolchek covering his numerous legal issues over the years.
In a notable encounter in 2017 at the Oakland County Court, Wolchek attempted to interview Shumake, who responded, “To a real journalist, certainly.”
The latest developments concerning Shumake are serious. He has been indicted by federal authorities for allegedly masterminding a multimillion-dollar penny-stock scheme. The case, titled The United States of America vs. Bobby Shumake Japhia, AKA Robert Samuel Shumake, includes charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Shumake is accused of defrauding investors in Minerco Inc., leading to significant financial losses. He is also charged with obstructing a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation by destroying crucial evidence.
The indictment details a ‘pump and dump’ scheme, where Shumake purportedly sold one billion shares of Minerco stock to artificially inflate its price, netting over $2 million in the process. Minerco was marketed as a company involved in researching Psilocybin medicine.
Shumake allegedly concealed his involvement in Minerco while managing its daily operations. The indictment references Wolchek’s previous investigations into Shumake, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior.