Two New Haven Men Charged with Federal Carjacking Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on April 7, 2016, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging ELBERT LLORRENS, 23, and KYLE VALENTINE, 24, both of New Haven, with federal carjacking offenses.

The indictment alleges that, on January 1, 2016, LLORRENS and VALENTINE used a firearm and threats of violence to steal a 2015 Volkswagon Passat from two victims in Meriden.  The indictment further alleges that, on January 5, 2016, LLORRENS used a firearm and threats of violence to steal a 2006 Chevy Cobalt from a victim in New Haven.

The indictment charges LLORRENS with two counts, and VALENTINE with one count, of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

The indictment was unsealed yesterday when LLORRENS and VALENTINE, who had been in state custody, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The defendants were ordered detained pending trial.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Haven, Meriden, Milford and New Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.