ARMED CAR-JACKER INDICTED

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Kadarius Montre Berry, 24, of Birmingham, has been indicted in U.S. District Court, and charged with car-jacking a 1997 Chevrolet Corsica on May 18, 2007, and for using a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

“Carjackers in the Northern District of Alabama will face prosecution and tough federal penalties,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

It is alleged that Berry car-jacked the vehicle on 19th Street South in Birmingham using a Bryco 9mm pistol. There were no injuries, and police arrested Berry shortly after the car-jacking occurred. He remains in police custody.

Berry faces a maximum sentence for car-jacking of15 years in prison. The penalty for using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence is a statutory consecutive sentence of 7 years in prison. Federal law also includes a fine of not more than $250,000 on each count.

“The FBI is committed to protecting the public from those who commit such violent offenses,” stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division.

Task Force Agents of the Birmingham Police Department and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation of this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Scarlett M. Singleton is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.