Arrest of Subject Involved in Carjacking

SAN JUAN—On February 8, 2013, a federal complaint was filed and an arrest warrant was obtained in the U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico charging Jaime Lebron-Santiago with one count of violating Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2119 (carjacking).

On February 12, 2013, a Bayamon Municipal Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Mazda 3 for a traffic violation at in Road #2 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The vehicle was driven by Jaime Lebron-Santiago. Lebron was accompanied by a minor at the time of the traffic stop. A record check on the license plate revealed the vehicle was reported stolen during a carjacking at an earlier date.

Lebron was detained and transported to Municipal Station in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Members of the Save Our Streets Task Force and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force Officers investigated the events. FBI personnel interviewed the owner of the stolen vehicle and corroborated the vehicle was stolen on February 9, 2013. The FBI determined that Lebron carjacked the owner of the vehicle when he agreed on giving him a ride. A second individual accompanied Lebron during the carjacking. The victim was able to escape by jumping out of the vehicle.

If convicted, Lebron faces up to a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment for violation of Title 18 USC 2119 (carjacking).

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan Carlos Ovies. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by members of the FBI Save Our Streets Task Force, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, the San Juan City Police, and the Bayamon City Police.

The public is reminded a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.