By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Frank Mike Jr., the first person charged in connection to the Josephs’ homicide case, pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the case Monday.

Mike was indicted April 25 by a federal grand jury and charged with interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle.

The homicide investigation into who killed Reserve married couple Kenneth and Lakeitha Joseph gained momentum with Mike’s April 22 arrest.

Family members of Kenneth Joseph, 34, and Lakeitha Joseph, 29, reported the couple missing Feb. 19 after they had not heard from them since 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18.

The van Mike was charged with transporting from Louisiana to Georgia belongs to Kenneth’s sister, who told investigators Kenneth often borrowed her vehicle and would return it before morning the next day. She said he borrowed it at approximately 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and never returned.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite Jr. announced Mike’s indictment, which states Mike transported Kenneth’s sister’s 2010 Dodge Caravan from Louisiana to Georgia.

The indictment states video surveillance showed Mike drove the van into the Travelodge Hotel located in College Park on Feb. 21.