Birmingham Man Indicted for Three Armed Carjackings

BIRMINGHAM -- A federal grand jury today indicted a Birmingham man for three armed carjackings in April and for being a convicted felon in possession of 9mm pistol, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger C. Stanton.

A six-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges JERMAINE DANIEL PARKS, 31, with two separate carjackings on April 9 and a third on April 18. The indictment also charges him with brandishing a firearm during each of the carjackings, and with possessing a Glock 9mm pistol on April 22, after being convicted last year in Jefferson County Circuit Court for the felony offense of robbery, third degree.

"Violent criminals who repeatedly arm themselves to prey on unsuspecting victims must be taken off the streets," Vance said.

On April 9, according to the indictment, Parks brandished a firearm and forcefully took a 2005 Nissan Altima from an individual identified by the initials, L.M. On the same day, he also brandished a firearm and forcefully took a 2008 Saturn Vue from an individual identified in the indictment by the initials, G.C. On April 18, Parks brandished a gun and forcefully took a 2010 Nissan Rogue from an individual identified by the initials, K.H., according to the charges.

The maximum penalty for carjacking is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed for the crime, and a maximum $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Felton is prosecuting.

An indictment contains charges. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.