Two Charged with Carjacking, Assaulting Federal Agent

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Ohio
December 17, 2010

DAYTON—Two Dayton men, Demond R. Johnigan, 18, and Jakova K. James-Sims, 19, were charged with carjacking in a federal complaint filed today. Johnigan was also charged with assault on a federal officer for pointing a gun at an FBI agent as the agent tried to arrest them.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Keith L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Dayton Police Chief Rick Biehl announced the complaint filed today.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, an FBI agent who is a member of the Safe Streets Task Force saw Johnigan and James-Sims approach two men by a car in the parking lot of a recreation center at 2021 West Third Street in Dayton on the afternoon of December 15, 2010. The agent says he saw Johnigan force one of the men into the back seat of the car at gunpoint and then get in on the driver’s side. James-Sims got in on the passenger side. The car sped out of the parking lot.

The affidavit says the agent followed the car until the men drove through an alley and into an open garage. The agent watched them get out of the car and walk away from the garage. Johnigan allegedly pointed a gun at the agent, then both men fled on foot. The agent and Dayton Police officers who had responded to the agent’s call for assistance apprehended Johnigan and James-Sims after a brief foot chase. They found a loaded gun belonging to Johnigan near where they apprehended him.

The victim of the carjacking was located nearby with a laceration on his cheek.

The carjacking charge against each man carries a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment. Each man is also charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. This is punishable by at least seven years and up to life imprisonment consecutive to any time served for the carjacking.

The assault charge Johnigan faces is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Johnigan is facing a second gun charge for pointing the gun at the agent. If convicted of both gun crimes, the second one would add at least 25 years and up to life imprisonment on top of any other time served.

Stewart commended the quick reaction of the FBI agent and Dayton Police officers who made the arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Tabacchi and Mona Guerrier are representing the government in the prosecution of the case.

A complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.