A man from Memphis, Tennessee was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Tennessee announced on Tuesday. Kristopher Harris was sentenced to a total of 8 years plus one month to be served in a federal facility, followed by three years of supervised release.
According to information provided during court, in July of 2019, the victim of the carjacking was sitting in his car at Memphis-area gas station when Harris and his co-defendant, Kalonji Warren drove Warren’s Jeep alongside the victim’s vehicle. Harris then pointed a handgun at the victim and fired a single shot into the front passenger side window.
The victim fled, and Warren then got into the victim’s vehicle and drove away. A single shell casing was found and collected as evidence.
Warren had entered the gas station prior to the carjacking and was recorded on the surveillance camera. Part of the carjacking was caught on camera as well, and Harris was positively identified.
Both pled guilty to the carjacking charge, and Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2022.
The Tennessee Star reported earlier about a rise in car thefts in Nashville. According to the report, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said many people were losing their vehicles due to the keys being left in their cars. “The MNPD strongly encourages Nashvillians to lock their automobile doors, secure any valuables — especially guns, and REMOVE THE KEYS. These simple actions will go a long way in preventing vehicle and gun thefts.”
Recently, MNPD noted that “A review of last week’s stolen vehicle reports in Nashville shows that 81% of the automobiles taken (58 of 72) were easy targets because the keys were left inside or made available to thieves. Eight of the 72 vehicles stolen were left running without the driver present.” MNPD continues to encourage Nashvillians to lock their cars, secure valuables, and remove their keys.
The Star also reported that federal money was used to fight crime rates in Memphis. The Department of Justice awarded $398,864 to Shelby County in order to hire special prosecutors to try federal firearms cases originating in Memphis. According to the article, the money was used to hire two full-time local prosecutors who “will be empowered to try firearms cases in federal court. Prosecuting gun crimes is central to the Justice Department’s strategy under Operation LeGend and other violence reduction initiatives led by the Department.”
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Morgan Nicole Veysey is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
