Two teenagers are facing federal charges after allegedly snatching a Jeep Grand Cherokee at gunpoint in Chicago’s Goose Island neighborhood. Jason Dortch, 19, and Davontae Jones, 18, were indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on counts of carjacking and using and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. The incident occurred on November 13, 2017, when prosecutors say the pair pulled weapons and forcibly stole the SUV from its driver.
Dortch, already a convicted felon, is hit with an additional charge of illegal firearm possession — a violation of federal law that carries up to ten years in prison. The indictment explicitly states Dortch was not legally allowed to possess a firearm. Both defendants are charged with one count of carjacking, punishable by up to 15 years, and one count of using and brandishing a weapon during a crime of violence, which can carry a life sentence.
The takedown was the result of a multi-agency manhunt led by the Chicago 11th District Violent Crimes Task Force. That unit includes personnel from the FBI, Chicago Police, ATF, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Oak Park Police Department, and Illinois State Police also played key roles in apprehending Dortch and Jones.
U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch, Jr., vowed harsh consequences. “Our office will use every available federal resource to vigorously pursue and prosecute violent carjackers,” he said. “We are committed to working with our state and local law enforcement partners to aggressively fight violent crime and protect Chicago’s neighborhoods from gun offenders.”
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey S. Sallet called carjacking “a particularly violent and heinous crime.” He emphasized the full force of federal and local agencies operating in lockstep. “We are proud to work side by side with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago Police Department, and our federal partners to bring these individuals to justice. Anyone who commits a crime like this should know, we are coming for you.”
Arraignments have not yet been scheduled in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeannice Appenteng and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marny Zimmer are prosecuting the case. The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. The government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, sentencing will follow federal statutes and advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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