A violent Benton Harbor gang member charged with murdering two men in front of dozens of witnesses in March has been named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and a reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information leading to his capture. Here is a video brief provided by the FBI in this case and released on Friday, June 29, 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2iTwEEEu2o
Antwan Tamon Mims, a convicted felon and known member of the Gangster Disciples gang, is wanted in connection with the killings that occurred at a house party on March 25, 2018, in Benton Harbor.
Investigators believe that Mims emerged from the house shortly after midnight and saw two men he believed had wronged his gang on a drug deal. He produced a gun and fired from the front door, hitting both men, who fell to the ground. Then, “very calmly,” said Special Agent Jeff Brown, who is investigating the case from the FBI’s Detroit Division, “he walked up to the victims and put a bullet into their heads.”
After the killing, Brown says bystanders told police that Mims “walked away as if nothing had happened.” The killer’s apparent arrogance—gunning down the men in front of so many witnesses—came from the fact that he was an intimidating figure in the community and believed no one would talk to authorities for fear of violent reprisals.
Brown noted that Benton Harbor, “Is a small city with a pretty significant crime rate,” adding, “There are a lot of drug and gang cases.”
Mims—with prior felony convictions ranging from drug possession to assault with a deadly weapon to being a habitual offender—was well known to local law enforcement and the community as a violent gang member. Brown says, “Many people we talked to are scared of him.”
Adding Mims to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list means the case will receive national publicity and that the reward for information leading to his capture has been increased to up to $100,000.
As Brown notes, “That is a lot of money,” and adds, “We hope it will motivate individuals to come forward. For someone in Benton Harbor, that reward money could mean moving to a different area and starting a new life.”
Mims, who has given varying dates of birth, is likely about 40 years old. He has family and gang ties in Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, and Tennessee. Brown says, “We are assuming that people from the gang world are giving him money, hiding him, and taking care of him.”
Mims is the 519th individual to be named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since the program was established in 1950. Since that time, 484 fugitives have been apprehended or located—more than 160 of them as a result of citizen cooperation.
Authorities from across the region, the state and the nation said today, “We need the public’s help.” Brown, who works out of the FBI’s St. Joseph Resident Agency, adds, “Getting Mims off the street is paramount.”
Brown, who was born and raised in St. Joseph and was a police officer there before becoming an FBI agent, added, “Bringing Mims to justice will show the people in the community who are scared to talk to the police or the FBI that coming forward is the right thing to do and makes the community safer.”
Anyone with information about Mims is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or contact their nearest law enforcement agency, FBI office, or U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
Click the link below to view the full Mims Wanted Poster from the FBI:
An entire team of local, state and national authorities made the announcement this morning at the Berrien County Emergency Operations Center on E. Empire Avenue.
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office Timothy R. Slater; Director of the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety Daniel E. McGinnis, Jr.; Commander of the Michigan State Police, Fifth District, Captain Kyle Bowman; Berrien County Sheriff L. Paul Bailey; Berrien County Prosecutor Michael J. Sepic; and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew B. Birge announced today the addition of Mims to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Mims is wanted for the March 25, 2018 murders of Cortez Lamont Miller and Michael Canthrell Johnson while they were attending a house party on Lavette Street in Benton Harbor. Cortez’ father and Johnson’s mother were also in attendance at today’s briefing.
A state arrest warrant was obtained on March 27, 2018, charging Mims with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of weapons felony firearms. On May 2, 2018, the Detroit FBI’s St. Joseph Resident Agency Safe Streets Task Force obtained a federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Mims has family and other personal ties to Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, and Ohio.
Timothy Slater, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office says, “The callous indifference with which Mims carried out his murders has rightly placed this violent and dangerous fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.” Slater adds, “Our need for the public’s assistance cannot be overstated, and we urge anyone with information related to Mims or his horrific crimes to come forward. The investigative resources of the FBI, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, and Michigan State Police are fully dedicated toward protecting our communities from this menace to society. We will never forget, nor will we rest until Antwan Tamon Mims is located, captured, and brought to justice for his crimes.”
Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis, Jr. said today, “Antwan Mims is extremely dangerous, and nobody is safe while this individual remains at large.” He adds, “We are asking for the community’s assistance in locating Mims and beginning the first step of the healing process for the victims’ families.”
Captain Kyle Bowman, Command of the Michigan State Police Fifth District says, “This suspect acted boldly and with no concern to the public around him while committing these murders.” Bowman adds, “The faster we locate him and take him into custody, the safer our community will be. We ask the public to provide any information that could help us capture him as quickly as possible before he kills again.”
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, who offered condolences to the victim’s families says, “The crimes that Antwan Mims committed back on March 25 of this year were ruthless and calculated.” He notes, “This will not stand in our county, and we are bringing all the resources of multiple partner agencies to bring this individual to justice. In order to do that, we are asking for the public’s assistance. If you know of Mims’ whereabouts, please call law enforcement and help us take this killer off the streets.”
Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic was also in the mix today, saying, “Mr. Mims’ arrogance in believing he can execute two individuals while a crowd looks on because of the fear the community has for him makes him extremely dangerous.” Sepic added, “In order to prevent heartache for more families, we need help locating him and let the criminal justice process proceed.”
Andrew Birge is the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. He told the media today, “Mims’ placement on this list is a mark of the seriousness of the crimes for which he is charged and of how important it is that he be captured and face those charges.”
Mims is known to have used a variety of aliases, to include: Ricky Moore, Holden Harris, Holden Harris, Jr., “Tank,” Antwan T. Tamon, Antwon Tamon Mims, Antwan Tamon, Jr., Antwane Tamon Mims, and Antwane Tamone.
Antwan Tamon Mims is further described as follows:
- Name: Antwan Tamon Mims
- DOB: February 14, 1978; December 23, 1959; December 14, 1978; September 3, 1980
- Height: 5’8” to 5’11”
- Weight: 210 to 265 pounds
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Brown
- Place of Birth: Michigan
- Scars/Marks: Mims has tattoos on his left hand, left forearm, right hand, right forearm, and upper right arm
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading directly to the arrest and conviction of Antwan Tamon Mims. Those with information concerning Mims should not take action themselves, but should immediately contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency.
The investigation into the murders of Cortez Lamont Miller and Michael Canthrell Johnson is being led by the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety and the Michigan State Police Major Crimes Unit; the FBI Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force is assisting with the murder investigation and leading the federal unlawful flight to avoid prosecution case regarding Mims.
The FBI Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force is composed of special agents and law enforcement officers of the FBI St. Joseph Resident Agency, Michigan State Police, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Benton Township Police Department, St. Joseph Department of Public Safety, St. Joseph Township Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police Department, South Haven Police Department, and Niles Police Department.
Anyone with information no matter how minor can call in tips to 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tips can also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov. For possible sightings outside the United States, you are asked to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The FBI’s Detroit Field Office can be reached at (313) 965-2323. Additional information concerning Mims, including his wanted poster and the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, can be found by visiting www.fbi.gov.
