Montgomery, Alabama - Ronald Thomas, age 25, Kendrick Thomas, age 23, and Anthony Turner, age 23, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on conspiracy, carjacking, and firearms charges related to a robbery and carjacking in Troy, Alabama, on October 26, 2009, U.S. Attorney Leura G. Canary announced today. The three men are each charged with conspiracy to commit a carjacking, with carjacking, and with using firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence. The indictment also describes a series of overt acts committed to accomplish the conspiracy and carjacking.

Ronald Thomas, Kendrick Thomas, and Anthony Turner were arraigned on the charges on March 9, 2010, before a federal magistrate judge in United States District Court in Montgomery, and pled not guilty to the charges. All three were ordered held pending trial because they were already in custody on related state charges. Trial was set on July 26, 2010, at the United States District Court in Montgomery, Alabama.

If convicted of all counts, the three men each face a maximum punishment of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy, fifteen years for the carjacking, and a mandatory minimum of seven years up to a maximum of life in prison for using the firearm. Any sentence for the firearm charge must be served consecutively to any sentence the defendant receives for the conspiracy or carjacking. There is no parole from federal prison.

The case was investigated as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Middle District of Alabama’s Alabama ICE programs, aimed at preventing violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms.

This case was investigated through the joint efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Troy Police Department, and the Pike County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Shepherd.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: usaalm.press@usdoj.gov
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617

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