Man Indicted on Multiple Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Firearms Offenses

CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has indicted a Chicago man on three counts of kidnapping, two counts of carjacking, and one firearms charge for offenses he committed while on pre-trial release for a previously charged federal gun offense.  Those convicted of committing a criminal offense while on pretrial release are subject to an enhanced criminal penalty.

The superseding indictment alleges that on February 27, March 8, and March 10, 2021 ANDREW ANANIA, 28, of Chicago, kidnapped the drivers of three vehicles, one on each date.  On two of the occasions, Anania also stole the victims’ motor vehicle with intent to cause death and serious bodily harm.  In October 2021, Anania was previously indicted on a kidnapping charge for the incident that occurred on March 8 during which he also sexually abused his victim.  Anania was arrested for this offense on March 13, 2021 and has been in custody since that time.

Prior to the conduct described in the superseding indictment, on February 15, 2019, while driving in the neighborhood of Little Village, Anania was stopped by Chicago Police Officers.  When officers attempted to approach Anania, he fled on foot through a residential neighborhood.  During the pursuit, officers observed Anania throw a firearm into a residential yard.  Officers arrested Anania and recovered the firearm a short time later.  Anania was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm on June 26, 2019, and a court later granted his request for pre-trial release. On October 14, 2021, Anania pleaded guilty to this firearms offense, and he was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment for that offense on February 14, 2022.

The indictment is announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  Substantial assistance was provided by the Darien Police Department, Cicero Police Department, Summit Police Department, and Stickney Police Department.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cornelius Vandenberg.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  Each count of kidnapping is punishable by up to life imprisonment, and each count of carjacking is punishable by up to 25 years in federal prison.  The charge of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as well as a mandatory sentence of at least 7 years’ imprisonment if the government proves that the firearm was brandished, which sentence must be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.