Felon Indicted for Armed Carjacking

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri
24 October 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Louis – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Brandon Shell, 20, of St. Louis City, Missouri, on multiple criminal counts stemming from a carjacking that took place on October 12, 2019.

According to court documents, on October 12, 2019, in the 3700 block of Juniata, Brandon Shell approached a group of four people with a gun in his hand. As he held the victims at gunpoint, Shell demanded their money and keys to the car they had just parked, a 2013 Kia Optima. The victims, fearing for their safety, gave Shell their money and the keys. Shell fled the scene in the car. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were able to track the stolen car, which was found in the 5300 block or Oriole near Pine Lawn, a short time after the robbery. Shell got out of the car and continued to flee on foot. The police officers ultimately apprehended Shell and took him into custody.

Shell has been charged with three felony counts of carjacking; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

If convicted, carjacking carries a penalty of not more than fifteen years and a fine of $250,000; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime carries a penalty of not less than seven years and no more than life and a fine of $250,000; and being a felon in possession carries a penalty of not more than ten years and a fine of $250,000.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly investigated the case.

Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.