CLEVELAND – Three Northeast Ohio men have admitted to a terrifying one-day crime spree that saw them violently stealing vehicles at gunpoint. Donteze Congress, 18, of Maple Heights, Ohio; Thomas J.D. Williams, 18, also of Maple Heights; and Kenneth Franklin, 19, of Akron, all pleaded guilty Friday, February 3, 2023, to multiple federal charges stemming from the August 9, 2022, carjackings.
The trio, along with a juvenile accomplice, allegedly targeted victims across Northeast Ohio, using firearms and blatant threats to seize their vehicles. Court documents detail a particularly brazen tactic: intentionally rear-ending victim’s cars to create a staged minor collision, then robbing them as they assessed the damage. In one instance, they followed a victim to a shopping center parking lot before executing their scheme.
Each carjacking followed a similar, chilling pattern. As victims exited their vehicles, they were confronted by one or two of the defendants brandishing firearms and demanding keys. No one was seriously injured, but the psychological impact on the victims is undoubtedly significant. The crew then made off with the stolen vehicles, leaving their victims shaken and vulnerable.
The spree came to an end later that same day when officers with the Solon Police Department, aided by multiple jurisdictions, located Thomas J.D. Williams driving one of the stolen cars. A search revealed he was in possession of a stolen credit card belonging to one of the victims, as well as a loaded pistol. This evidence proved crucial in unraveling the entire operation.
Donteze Congress pleaded guilty to three counts of carjacking and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Thomas J.D. Williams entered guilty pleas to the same charges. Kenneth Franklin admitted to three counts of carjacking and two counts of aiding and abetting possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Sentencing dates have been set: Williams on May 8, 2023, Congress on May 9, 2023, and Franklin on May 22, 2023.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Cleveland FBI and supported by the Solon, Cuyahoga Falls, Streetsboro, and Garfield Heights Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter E. Daly and Christopher J. Joyce are prosecuting the case, seeking justice for the victims and sending a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in Northeast Ohio. The minor co-conspirator’s case is being handled separately in juvenile court.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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