Shiym Edwards, 28, and Destiny Johnson, 25, both of Akron, face felony charges of illegal use of a financial transaction device. The two are allegedly part of a large-scale operation based in Akron in which stolen credit cards were used to buy lottery tickets and other items. 

Preliminary hearings for both were rescheduled for Dec. 16. Edwards’ attorney, Matthew Eliason, said the hearings would not likely happen, he said. One option being discussed is dismissal of the charge in exchange for extradition to Iowa. 

They were arrested after the Houghton Police Department received a report on Nov. 7 of two suspicious people purchasing lottery tickets and high-end alcohol at a local business. Based on a description of the vehicle, a Michigan State Police trooper pulled the two over and arrested them in Iron River.   

Both would have enhanced sentences due to habitual offender notices — the fourth for Edwards, and the second for Johnson. They are also wanted on similar charges elsewhere: Midland, Michigan for Edwards and Minnesota’s Wright County for Johnson. 

Destiny Johnson, seen with her attorney David Gemignani, had their preliminary hearing on credit card fraud charges adjourned in 97th District Court Monday. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

The Houghton incident is the most recent of several to have been reported in the Copper Country and elsewhere in the Upper Peninsula. 

The Houghton Police Department received a similar complaint about stolen credit cards as far back as March. Earlier in November, Baraga County reported an incident of two suspicious men wearing M95 masks purchasing a large amount of lottery tickets. Other reports have come from Ishpeming, Marquette and Munising.