News and Press Releases
Man sentenced to federal prison for carjacking a taxi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS – Late last week in federal court, a 45-year-old man was sentenced for
carjacking an Airport Taxi taxicab on January 29, 2011. On July 20, 2012, United States District
Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced Antonius Brett El-X, address unknown, to 176 months
in prison on one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act. El-
X was indicted on March 22, 2011, and pleaded guilty on January 10, 2012.
In his plea agreement, El-X, also known as Brett Anthony Anderson, admitted that on
January 29, 2011, he requested that an Airport Taxi pick him up at a Crystal hotel. While
traveling in the front passenger seat, he then lifted his leg over the center console and slammed
on the brakes. He tried to push the driver out of the vehicle, threatening the use of force. The
driver fled and called police. Officers used GPS to track the cab, which El-X ultimately crashed
before being arrested.
The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases
involving violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in businesses engaged in
interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these offenders is sometimes beneficial since the
penalties may be tougher than under state law. To that end, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its
County Attorney partners work together to determine where each violent offender will most
effectively be prosecuted.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Crystal Police Department and the U.S.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S.
Attorney Julie E. Allyn.
