Court Watching: Judge Oakley dismisses VBT charges against Ibrahim Ibrahim

After 34th District Court Judge Brian A. Oakley dismissed charges against Ibrahim Daoud Ibrahim of the Belleville Exchange, 9894 Belleville Road, Van Buren Township Detective Ken Toney said his department will refile the charges.
Ibrahim, 47, was charged with Organized Retail Crime and receiving and concealing $1,000 or more in stolen property, but less than $20,000, on March 20, 2014 in VBT. The warrant for his arrest was issued Dec. 17.
His co-defendant is Antonio Michael Henry, 19, who has the same charges and is considered a habitual offender. Henry did not have an exam scheduled.
Target is the complainant. The iPads in question allegedly have been stolen from Target and misrepresented by the defendant, said VBT Det. Donovan McCarthy.
The preliminary exam for Ibrahim was due to be held March 25, but the prosecutor said a vital witness was not available. The witness’ wife reportedly was experiencing difficulties with her pregnancy and the witness had taken time off to be with her.
Det. Toney said the witness’ testimony was vital to the case and Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Blair Moody moved for an adjournment.
Judge Oakley asked when the prosecution found out about the witness being absent and Det. Toney said it was the previous Friday [March 20] when the witness called him.
“It’s the one we really need,” Prosecutor Moody emphasized.
Ibrahim’s retained attorney Raymond Guzall said they were not in favor of an adjournment and the prosecution has his number and could have called in advance of this court date to tell him the situation. Guzall made a motion to dismiss the charges.
Judge Oakley agreed that everyone should have been told about the missing witness much earlier and ordered the prosecution to begin the exam at once or he would dismiss. Moody said they couldn’t start without their important witness, so Judge Oakley dismissed the case without prejudice, which meant it could be refiled.