Montgomery, Alabama - Kendrick Katrell Thomas, 25, of Clayton, Alabama, was sentenced this morning to serve 288 months in federal prison for his role in a home invasion that took place in Troy, Alabama, in 2009, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced today. Thomas is the second of three co-defendants to be sentenced in the case. His older brother, Ronald Demarkus Thomas, 26, already received a 288-month sentence in April of this year. The third co-defendant, Anthony Perrie Turner, 24, is scheduled to appear for sentencing on August 11. All three men previously pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

Documents previously filed in the case show that on October 26, 2009, the three men forced their way into a residence occupied by six people and demanded money and car keys at gunpoint. Several of the victims were beaten and pistol-whipped, and two women inside the residence were sexually assaulted during the commission of the crime. The three assailants then fled the scene in the victims’ car. Based on information from the victims, officers with the Troy Police Department were able to identify, locate, and arrest all three men within a matter of hours. The Thomas brothers eventually confessed to their involvement in the crime and implicated Turner. One of the women also identified Turner from a photo-lineup.

It is a federal crime to take a motor vehicle from another person by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. Brandishing a firearm during the commission of the offense carries a consecutive sentence of no less than 7 years and as much as life in prison. Because he was willing to plead guilty and cooperate in the prosecution of his two co-defendants, the United States agreed to cap Kendrick Thomas’s sentence at 25 years.

In handing down the sentence, United States District Judge W. Keith Watkins noted that Thomas had committed "a really violent act" that would impact the victims "for the rest of their lives." "It's a sad case," he said.

As part of his sentence, Thomas was also ordered to spend 5 years on supervised release.

All three men still face a pending state prosecution in Pike County for their actions.

The investigation of this case was conducted by Special Agent Jennifer Rudden-Conway of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, acting in concert with officers of the Troy Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan D. Stump and Brandon K. Essig prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

 

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

Return to Top