From The Tribune staff reports
HUNTSVILLE — A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Huntsville man for carjacking, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. announced Monday.
U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon sentenced Deondre Cleveland Day, 22, to 120 months in prison. Day pleaded guilty in August 2021 to one count of carjacking, and one count of conspiracy to discharge a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the plea agreement, on September 24, 2019, Day and a juvenile co-defendant robbed the victim, stealing his car keys, guns, and cell phone. During the robbery, the victim was struck in the head with a handgun. Day and the juvenile then fled in the victim’s car. Later, when Huntsville Police spotted the car, Day led officers on a high-speed chase and shots were fired from the vehicle, striking the windshield of a Huntsville Police vehicle several times. Day and the juvenile then fled on foot.
“Combating violent gun crimes is a priority for my office and this district,” Escalona said. “Today’s sentence shows the seriousness of this offense, and I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our partner agencies on this case.”
The FBI investigated the case along with the Huntsville Police Department, North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force, U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Penfield prosecuted the case.
“I want to thank the members of the North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force, and particularly our partners with the Huntsville Police Department, U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office for their work in bringing Day to justice,” Sharp said. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to address violent crime in north Alabama.”