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Press Release

Cahokia Man Sentenced To 308 Months For Kidnapping And A Firearm Offense

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

Antwon D. Jenkins, a 27 year old Cahokia resident, was sentenced Friday by United States Chief District Court Judge David R. Herndon to 308 months in federal prison for kidnapping and using or carrying a firearm during or in relation to kidnapping, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

According to Court documents, Jenkins, was indicted in August 2012 for kidnapping, or aiding and abetting kidnapping, and for using or carrying a firearm during or in relation to the kidnapping or aiding and abetting kidnapping. A jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in East St. Louis, Illinois, returned a guilty verdict on both counts.

The evidence at trial showed that on July 17, 2012, Jenkins lured a young man to his house in East St. Louis, Illinois. While there, Jenkins and others brutally attacked the young man and accused him of committing a burglary on Jenkins’ second home in Cahokia. After some time, Jenkins told the young man they were going to “take that ride.” And the young man was walked outside and put into Jenkins’ truck where the young man could not get out. Jenkins drove the young man across the Poplar Street Bridge and into Franklin County, Missouri. During the drive, Jenkins pulled off Highway 44 twice and threatened the young man twice at gunpoint. The second time Jenkins pulled over, he told the young man to get out of the truck so Jenkins could shoot him in the back. Fortunately, the victim ran off into the woods and escaped. Jenkins was arrested a few days later.

Judge Herndon sentenced Jenkins to 188-months for the kidnapping count and 120-months for the firearm offense in federal prison to run consecutively, for a total term of 308 months. There is no parole in the federal prison system. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Herndon also sentenced Jenkins to serve 5 years of supervised release, to pay restitution to the victim, and to pay a $200 special assessment fee. According to United States Attorney Wigginton, “My office remains committed to prosecuting this district’s most violent criminals, especially those who arm themselves with firearms and use them. Antwon Jenkins is an exceptionally dangerous and violent man. A sentence like this sends a strong, clear message: stop the violence or pay the price.” Wigginton further recognized the victim and his family for their courage and strength during the case, and he acknowledged and thanked the many members of law enforcement for their hard work and dedication: “I am particularly grateful to the victim and his family for their patience and courage during the investigation and prosecution of this case. It has been a long road to justice. I also want to thank the tireless efforts of the many members of law enforcement who investigated this case and without whom there would not be a case.”

The investigation team was comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Illinois State Police, the Columbia, Illinois, Police Department, and the East St. Louis, Illinois, Police Department, who comprised the Save Our Streets Task Force active in the summer of 2012. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Monica A. Stump with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman during the trial.

Updated February 19, 2015