DETROIT, MI – In a shocking story of betrayal and greed, Curtis Dixon, the 60-year-old Detroit man whose kindness in a viral TikTok video earned him over $100,000 in donations, was the victim of a brutal kidnapping and robbery plot allegedly orchestrated by his own family. Federal court documents reveal a chilling conspiracy where Curtis Dixon was ambushed, beaten, robbed, and left for dead inside his burning SUV by a group that included his nephew and other relatives who sought to steal his newfound fortune.

The case presents a tragic and disturbing twist to a story that began as a heartwarming example of a good deed being rewarded. The very blessings that celebrated the character of Curtis Dixon are what ultimately made him a target for those closest to him.

A Blessing Becomes a Curse: The Kidnapping of Curtis Dixon

Just last month, Curtis Dixon was a celebrated figure, an embodiment of the idea that kindness matters. He became an internet sensation after he was featured in a viral TikTok video by influencer Zach Dereniowski. In the video, Dixon’s simple, selfless act of helping a stranger was captured, and the internet responded with overwhelming generosity. A GoFundMe campaign started in his honor quickly surpassed $100,000, and he was gifted a new car to replace his old one. For a moment, it was a beautiful, life-changing story of a deserving man getting a lucky break.

But that dream turned into a nightmare on September 1, 2025. The kindness that had brought Curtis Dixon so much joy was cruelly turned against him. The fortune that was meant to bring him peace and security instead brought him unimaginable danger, not from strangers, but from his own blood.

The Family Plot Against Curtis Dixon

According to federal investigators and court documents, the conspiracy against Curtis Dixon began to form shortly after he received his blessings. The alleged ringleader was his own nephew, Roland Terrell Chatmon. Investigators uncovered a series of recorded phone calls Chatmon made from jail to his brother, in which he complained about his own financial struggles while discussing the new wealth of his uncle, Curtis Dixon. Authorities believe these conversations were the genesis of the violent plan.

The plot allegedly grew to include more family members. Chatmon’s relatives, Dnequia Stroman and Ieasha Stroman, along with at least two others, are accused of joining the scheme. The final piece of the trap was a woman identified as Leica Doreen Lopez Martinez.

On September 1, the group allegedly put their plan into motion. Martinez approached Curtis Dixon, using a story about a broken-down car to ask for a ride—a scenario designed to prey on his now-famous kindness. When the unsuspecting Dixon stopped to help, he was ambushed by the others who were lying in wait.

A Terrifying Ordeal for Curtis Dixon

What followed was a harrowing ordeal of violence and terror. Curtis Dixon was tied up, beaten, and forced into a vehicle. The conspirators drove him around Detroit, forcing him to withdraw money from various ATMs. They then took him to his own home, where they stole a safe containing more of his assets.

The most horrific part of the plot was yet to come. In a brazen act of cruelty, the kidnappers allegedly tied Curtis Dixon inside his own SUV, the very vehicle that had been a symbol of his good fortune. They then doused the car in accelerant and set it on fire, leaving him inside to die.

Miraculously, witnesses saw the blaze and rushed to the scene. They were able to pull Curtis Dixon from the burning vehicle just in the nick of time, saving his life. He survived the terrifying attempt on his life, but was left with the physical and emotional scars of the betrayal.

Federal Charges and a Community in Disbelief

Following an intensive investigation, federal authorities have arrested and charged five individuals in connection with the crime, including nephew Roland Terrell Chatmon and his relatives. During searches related to the arrests, investigators reported recovering firearms, drugs, and other stolen items.

The news has left the Detroit community and Dixon’s thousands of online supporters in a state of shock and outrage. The story that had so recently inspired hope has now become a grim cautionary tale about how fame and fortune can attract jealousy and danger, sometimes from the most unexpected places. The community that rallied to bless Curtis Dixon is now rallying once again, this time to demand justice for the unimaginable crime committed against him.