Three Men Face Federal Charges for Violent Twin Cities Carjackings
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced federal carjacking charges against DELANEY NICHOLAS HARRIS, 19, JOSHOAMEI DEANGELO RICHARDSON, 19, and JAMES BROCK WILLIAMS, JR., 19. HARRIS was charged with aiding and abetting carjacking and, in a separate indictment, RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS were charged with aiding and abetting carjacking and firearms violations. The defendants made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court and have been ordered to remain in detention pending further proceedings.
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald stated, “This disturbing spike in carjackings throughout the Twin Cities has not gone unnoticed by federal law enforcement. This is unacceptable and we will not hesitate to hold accountable individuals who perpetrate this type of violence in our communities.”
According to the allegations in the indictment and documents filed with the court, on June 1, 2020, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to a report of a carjacking in the downtown area. A witness told officers that two men, one later identified as HARRIS, the second a yet unidentified accomplice, approached a man who was exiting his vehicle, and threw him to the ground. One of the men displayed a gun, threatened to kill the victim, and demanded his car keys. The witness also told officers that HARRIS had been holding a red plastic cup just prior to the incident. Officers recovered the cup and later found that the fingerprints and DNA on the cup were a match for HARRIS.
According to the allegations in a separate indictment and documents filed in state court, on August 25, 2020, in St. Paul, Minnesota, RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS used force and violence, while brandishing a firearm, to steal a 2012 Dodge Charger. WILLIAMS allegedly brandished a firearm, demanded the keys, and threatened the driver of the Dodge Charger as he exited his vehicle. RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS then fled the scene in the Charger.
These cases are the result of investigations conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Saint Paul Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the HARRIS case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS case.
The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
DELANEY NICHOLAS HARRIS, 19
Chicago, Ill.
Charges:
- Aiding and abetting carjacking, 1 count
JOSHOAMEI DEANGELO RICHARDSON, a/k/a “Yoshi,” 19
St. Paul, Minn.
Charges:
- Aiding and abetting carjacking, 1 count
- Aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count
JAMES BROCK WILLIAMS, JR., 19
St. Paul, Minn.
Charges:
- Aiding and abetting carjacking, 1 count
- Aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count
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