ST. LOUIS – A brazen attempt to kidnap and rob a St. Louis apartment property manager at gunpoint has landed two individuals in federal court, admitting guilt to a string of violent crimes. The incident, which unfolded in February of 2024, is just one piece of a larger pattern of criminal activity revealed in court documents.
Emma M. Cunningham, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to attempted kidnapping, transferring a firearm to a convicted felon, and making false statements during a firearm purchase. Her boyfriend, Jervonz L. Williams, 49, entered a guilty plea on June 23rd to attempted kidnapping, robbery, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The pair’s actions paint a picture of calculated violence and disregard for the law.
The investigation revealed Cunningham purchased a handgun on February 20, 2024, for Williams, knowing he was a convicted felon prohibited from owning firearms. She allegedly lied on the ATF Form 4473, falsely claiming the gun was for herself and denying any illegal substance use. This single act fueled a cascade of further offenses. Williams didn’t hesitate to put the weapon to use, threatening Cunningham’s neighbors and, in late June 2024, brutally robbing a drug dealer of $17, a handgun, and cocaine base. The dealer was repeatedly struck in the head with the revolver during the attack.
The failed kidnapping attempt on August 5, 2024, showcased the couple’s escalating depravity. The victim, an apartment property manager, was lured to an apartment for a final walkthrough, a setup orchestrated by Cunningham, her tenant. Once inside, Cunningham locked the door, and Williams immediately threatened the woman’s life when she attempted to call 911. The pair demanded cash and access to her financial accounts, securing her to a chair with duct tape. The victim managed to break free, but not before Cunningham and Williams physically assaulted her, ripping her shirt and tearing out clumps of her hair in a desperate attempt to prevent her escape. Police arrested the couple two days later, recovering the .38-caliber revolver and ammunition.
Both defendants now face significant prison time. Williams is scheduled for sentencing on September 24, and Cunningham on September 30. The charges of kidnapping and robbery each carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Transferring a firearm to a felon and possessing a firearm as a felon each carry up to 15 years, while the false statement charge could result in a 10-year sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone is prosecuting the case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, led the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities, supporting local organizations, and strategically focusing enforcement efforts. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN in May 2021, and this case is a clear demonstration of its goals in action.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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