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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
April 7 , 2009
KANSAS CITY MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ARMED CARJACKING
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Jeremiah L. Findley, 29, Kansas City, Kan., has been sentenced to 180 months for carjacking, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker said today.
In December 2008, Findley pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In his plea, Findley admitted that on April 14, 2008, he was attempting to steal a 1986 Chevy Monte Carlo in the 1200 block of South 36th Street in Kansas City, Kan., when the owner of car spotted him. After the owner yelled at him, Findley pointed a handgun at the owner and fired a shot. Then Findley fled on foot.
Later that day, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department arrested Findley when he attempted to steal another car in the 1300 block of South 28th Street.
In his plea, Findley admitted that his prior criminal record included a 2003 conviction in Johnson County District Court for attempted auto burglary; a 2005 conviction in Wyandotte County District Court for attempted theft; a 2006 conviction in Wyandotte County District Court for theft and fleeing from arrest; a 2007 conviction in Johnson County District Court for theft; and a 2007 conviction in Wyandotte County District Court for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
Nationally, about 34,000 carjacking incidents occur each year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A 2004 bulletin by the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that:
– About 24 percent of carjacking victims are injured.
– A weapon – including firearms, knives and other weapons – is used in 74 percent of carjacking incidents.
– About 68 percent of carjackings occur at night, and about 63 percent occur within 5 miles of the victim’s home.
– In about 45 percent of carjackings, the thief is successful in stealing the car.
– In general, men are more often victimized than women; blacks more often than whites, and Hispanics more often than non-Hispanics.
The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead is prosecuting.
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