ARMED CAR-JACKER SENTENCED TO 65 MONTHS IN PRISON

BIRMINGHAM, AL - KADARIUS MONTRE BERRY, 25, of Birmingham, has been sentenced to 65 months by United States District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler, for car-jacking a 1997 Chevrolet Corsica and using a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

"We are working with the Birmingham Police Department and the District Attorney to prosecute car-jackings in federal court where sentencing will take these dangerous individuals out of our community for years.  We are treating this most invasive, dangerous crime as a top priority," stated United States Attorney Alice H. Martin.

According to the Plea Agreement, in May 2007, BERRY and another unidentified male car-jacked two individuals at gunpoint on 19th Street South in Birmingham using a Bryco 9mm pistol.  Both individuals were held at gunpoint inside the car as BERRY forced the victims to drive to an ATM machine in an attempt to get money.  At the intersection of 12th Avenue South and 20th Street South, one of the victims jumped from the moving vehicle and ran towards an off-duty police officer working on Highland Avenue.   BERRY and the unidentified male forced the other victim to continue driving and later forced him into the passenger’s seat.  While keeping a gun pointed at the victim’s head,  BERRY and the unidentified male continued to drive around Birmingham and eventually allowed the victim to get out of the car.  Birmingham Police Officer Holland was patrolling that evening and learned that a Chevrolet Corsica had been carjacked in the area.  Sergeant Irvin observed a vehicle matching that description speeding near the area, and then two males jumped from the car and began running.   A foot chase ensued until one of the suspects was found hiding under a pick-up truck and subsequently arrested.

“This case should send a message to armed violent offenders that car-jacking crimes are taken very seriously,” stated Busey Ward, Resident Agent in Charge, Birmingham Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  “This combined effort between the state and federal agencies has removed an extremely dangerous individual from the community.”

“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 assigned to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation of this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Scarlett M. Singleton prosecuted the matter on behalf of the United States.