Cherokee -- May 21, 2026: A pre-planned scheme that crossed state lines has culminated in a 10-count federal indictment against three individuals. Details released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) outline an alleged plot involving an interstate lure, armed robbery, and the murder of a South Carolina man after he was targeted at a western North Carolina casino.
The federal grand jury in South Carolina returned charges against the trio on May 19, 2026. Because the crime involved kidnapping and moving the victim across state lines, the case falls under federal jurisdiction, carrying a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
The Suspects Charged
The indictment names three individuals who allegedly coordinated the attack:
Elisa Marie Rosario (33) of Roebuck, SC
Jeremy Todd Lark, also known as "Jeremy Abdul Wakil Jones" (42) of Roebuck, SC
Kezayvian Lee Campbell (19) of Greenville, SC
All three defendants face a battery of federal charges, including robbery affecting commerce, kidnapping, and severe firearms violations. They are currently being held without bond.
Timeline of the Plot and Crime
According to federal court documents, the orchestration of the crime began on or about June 16, 2025, targeting a victim identified in the indictment as M.B.G.
1. The Setup at Harrah's Cherokee Casino
Prosecutors allege that the defendants used a ruse to entice M.B.G. to travel from South Carolina to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in North Carolina under the false pretense of going on a date with Rosario. Investigators note that before ever leaving South Carolina, the trio prepared for a violent encounter by packing masks, latex gloves, and two firearms.
2. The Abduction
In the early morning hours of June 17, 2025, shortly after arriving at the casino, Rosario allegedly convinced the victim to leave the property with her. Following a brief stop at a nearby convenience store, Rosario pulled her vehicle over.
At that moment, Campbell exited a trailing vehicle driven by Lark and forced his way into the victim's rented 2025 Hyundai Genesis.
3. Robbery and Murder in Jackson County
The defendants, now traveling in a multi-car caravan, transported the victim roughly 12 miles away into Sylva, North Carolina. There, they robbed him of his cash, cell phone, and jewelry. During the course of the robbery, the victim was shot and killed.
4. Destruction of Evidence
Fleeing back toward South Carolina, the defendants discarded the victim's cell phone and personal property along the highway to obscure their tracks. Later that evening, emergency responders in Spartanburg County, SC, discovered the victim's body inside his burning rental car, which had been hidden in a wooded area near the intersection of Woodburn Road and Pinecrest Road.
The Investigation
The investigation handled jointly by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Spartanburg Police Department, and the Spartanburg Fire Department. Federal agents ultimately executed a search warrant at the Roebuck, SC, residence shared by Rosario and Lark, where they recovered the victim's stolen jewelry.