CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors have leveled a heavy charge against Maurice D. Lee, Jr., 32, for orchestrating a brazen spree of carjackings and robberies at two credit unions in the heart of Chicago.
Lee, the alleged mastermind behind these high-stakes heists, is accused of committing the first offense on May 10, 2024, when he seized control of a Toyota from an unsuspecting driver and made off with a substantial sum from a credit union at the University of Illinois Chicago. Less than a week later, on May 17, 2024, Lee struck again, this time snatching another Toyota and robbing a different credit union within the same university’s confines.
According to the federal indictment, Lee did not shy away from using fear as a tool in his crimes. He brandished a handgun during both carjackings and robberies, leaving terror in his wake.
The indictment charges Lee with two counts of carjacking, two counts of robbery, and four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The gravity of these offenses is not lost on the court: each firearm count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, totaling 28 years in federal prison, while each robbery count is punishable by up to 20 years, with carjacking charges carrying sentences of up to 15 years.
Lee was apprehended two days after his last heist and has been detained without bond since. The arraignment for this dangerous defendant is scheduled for July 7, 2025, at 9:45 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.
The investigation into Lee’s crimes was a collaborative effort led by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and the FBI Chicago Field Office. The University of Illinois Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Police Department played pivotal roles in this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Asheeka Desai represents the government.
As always, the public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Maurice D. Lee, Jr., is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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