ARMED CAR-JACKER PLEADS GUILTY

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DERROL RAY SHAW pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to two car-jackings and firearms violations. SHAW was indicted in November 2006, and now faces up to 15 years imprisonment for each car-jacking and 32 years imprisonment to be served consecutively to the car-jacking sentence imposed.

The four-count indictment charged that SHAW, 19, of Jefferson County, car-jacked a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander on May 18, 2006, in Jefferson County (Count 1), while in possession of and using a firearm (Count 2). The indictment further alleges that in Jefferson County, on May 26, 2006, SHAW car-jacked a 2006 Dodge Stratus (Count 3), also while in possession of and using a firearm (Count 4).

“Violent criminals who steal and terrorize citizens with their behavior and weapons belong in prison,” states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. “In federal prison there is no parole.”

SHAW has been in police custody since his arrest on June 15, 2006. The maximum sentence for car-jacking is fifteen years for each count. Because SHAW pled guilty to using and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a violent felony, SHAW faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison which must run consecutive to the car-jacking counts. Because SHAW also pled guilty to a second count of using a firearm during the commission of a felony, he now faces a minimum sentence of twenty-five years imprisonment, which must also run consecutively. The sentencing date was not announced at the plea today, but will be set by U.S. District Court Judge U.W. Clemon in the future.

“Violent crimes are a priority for the FBI,” states Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Resources and man power are available and will be utilized for the protection of our citizens.”

The investigation of this case was conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney L. James Weil, Jr, is prosecuting this matter on behalf of the U.S. Government.