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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Thursday, May 24, 2007 |
CONTACT: JILL ELLIS |
CAR-JACKER SENTENCED TO 68 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
BIRMINGHAM, AL - MACKESE WALKER SPEIGHT, 29, of Dolomite, Alabama, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 68 years for car-jacking, conspiracy, and use of a firearm in furtherance of violent crimes. Speight, also known as “Keekee,” along with Keundre Lerico Johnson, also known as Blood,” were indicted in September 2006. Speight pled guilty to the crimes in February 2007. Johnson pled guilty in January 2007, and was sentenced to 71 years in prison earlier last month.
“The outstanding efforts of Hoover, Homewood and Leeds Police Departments, along with the FBI and our prosecutors has lead to a just sentence. Speight will not be a danger to the public. He has driven his last car,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.
Testimony revealed that on July 26, 2006, until August 1, 2006, the named defendants along with three juveniles identified as “TD,” “VIC,” and “NY,” conspired together to take by force and violence vehicles from three area residents.
On July 26, 2006, Speight ordered pizzas for delivery at an area hotel. When the pizza delivery driver arrived, he was robbed of about $25 at gun-point and his vehicle was stolen by Johnson, Speight, and juvenile co-conspirators “TD” and “VIC.” Five days later, on July 31, 2006, Johnson and Speight together with co-conspirator “NY,” drove to Lakeshore Landing Apartments located on Columbiana Road in Homewood. There they abducted, car-jacked, robbed and subsequently shot a University of Montevallo co-ed. Later on July 31, 2006, Johnson and Speight, along with co-conspirator “NY” drove to Melissa’s Rainbow Car Wash in Leeds. There they abducted and car-jacked another individual. They subsequently robbed that individual by forcing her to withdraw money from a bank ATM machine. In that incident, the individual was able to escape and report the crime to police.
“The FBI is committed to protecting the public from those who commit such violent offenses,”said Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation. “I encourage all citizens to be aware of their surroundings at all times, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
Law enforcement involved in the investigation of these individuals includes the Police Departments of Hoover, Homewood and Leeds, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys William G. Simpson and Laura D. Hodge prosecuted this case on behalf of the U.S. Government.