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Press Release

Two Maple Heights Men Charged in Multiple Armed Carjacking Incidents

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio

CLEVELAND - Today, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment charging Donteze Congress, age 18, and Thomas J.D. Williams, age 18, both of Maple Heights, Ohio, with using a firearm to steal vehicles during separate incidents on August 9, 2022. 

Congress and Williams are both charged with carjacking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Williams is also charged with attempted carjacking and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to court documents, it is alleged that on three separate occasions on August 9, 2022, police officers in Cuyahoga Falls, Solon and Streetsboro were called to respond to an armed carjacking incident.  In both Cuyahoga Falls and Streetsboro, the perpetrators were alleged to have struck the victim’s vehicle from the rear, brandished firearms and confronted the victims after the victims exited the vehicle to assess the damage. 

In the Streetsboro incident, it is alleged that the perpetrators approached the victim as the victim exited their vehicle, brandished a firearm and demanded the vehicle keys.  However, court documents state that the perpetrators were unable to get away with the vehicle.  

Defendants Congress and Williams were later identified and arrested following an investigation into the carjacking incidents.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum; in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Cleveland FBI, Solon Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Streetsboro Police Department and Garfield Heights Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter E. Daly and Christopher J. Joyce.

Contact

Daniel Ball Daniel.Ball@usdoj.gov

Updated March 5, 2024

Topic
Violent Crime