January 30, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
Three Custer County men, two from Clinton and one from Weatherford were formally bound over for trial after their preliminary hearings last week after being charged last fall, with, among other things kidnapping.
According to court records, 22-year-old Marquiz Dajion Simpkins, 26-year-old Johnny Oneal Brooks both of Clinton, and 30-year-old Airick William Fuller of Weatherford were bound over following the hearings on January 22nd in Custer County District Court.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Simpkins allegedly called one of the victims and instructed him to meet the defendant at a nearby business in Clinton. After arriving to the business, the suspect was not there, however he was eventually confronted by Fuller, and Brooks who instructed the two men to get into the vehicle they were driving. The affidavit reported that the victims were threatened with a firearm, driven to a separate location where they were assaulted, and eventually robbed. Since the attack, one man told authorities that his life has been threatened. Police believe Brooks video recorded the incident and could be heard in the background making statements.
Police say the video showed the two men had sustained injuries consistent with being assaulted.
A judge found probable cause that Fuller had committed two counts of kidnapping, two of first-degree robbery, one of possessing a firearm during commission of a felony, and one of possessing a firearm after a former felony conviction.
The judge found probable cause that Brooks had committed two counts of kidnapping and two of first-degree robbery, all while acting conjointly with Fuller.
The judge also found probable cause that Simpkins had committed two felony counts of conspiracy.
All three defendants are scheduled to appear for formal arraignment on Monday afternoon.
