CAR-JACKER GETS LIFE PLUS 84 MONTHS IN PRISON

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DEDRICK LAMON GRIHAM, 37, of Birmingham, was sentenced in United States District Court today for the car-jacking of a local attorney in Downtown Birmingham. In addition to the car-jacking charge, GRIHAM, a convicted felon was in possession of firearms and used those firearms in furtherance of the violent crime of car-jacking. U.S. District Court Judge David R. Proctor sentenced GRIHAM to life in prison plus 84 months to run consecutive to any sentences imposed in State Court.

"Griham preyed on an innocent and unsuspecting female, car-jacked her at gun point and held her captive for nine and a half hours," states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "Griham’s disrespect of human decency, disrespect of the law, and his prior criminal history of violence more than support the sentence imposed of life in prison."

GRIHAM was indicted in August 2006, for the early morning car-jacking of a local attorney on May 31, 2006. The ordeal was terrifying for the victim as well as her family and the citizens of Birmingham. Law enforcement, including members of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force quickly went into action for the rescue of the victim and the eventual capture of GRIHAM. After a week-long jury trial, GRIHAM was found guilty of the offenses in November 2006. At trial, testimony revealed that GRIHAM had been convicted of multiple felonies in three different states, that he possessed two handguns, and that he used them in furtherance of his efforts to car-jack a Lexus SUV with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Proctor stated that GRIHAM’s conduct in court, specifically the fact that he gave testimony that the Court considered perjury, and GRIHAM’s conduct while incarcerated, specifically the fact that he escaped from custody, were all considerations in his decision to impose the highest sentence available to the Court.

"We are pleased with the sentence handed down by the Court in this case,"states U.S. Marshal C. Martin Keely. "The Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in Birmingham and covers both Mississippi and Alabama. Its purpose is to assist state, local and other federal agencies in apprehending the most violent fugitives and offenders. The arrest and investigation in this case is a good example of types of cases delegated to the U.S. Marshal Service Task Forces across the Country," adds U.S. Marshal Keely.

"I am fully satisfied that justice was done in this case, and I am hopeful that this sentence brings some measure of peace to the victim and her family," states Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William G. Simpson and William C. Athanas along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Enid E. Dean prosecuted this case on behalf of the U.S. Government.