United States of America v. Edmund Singleton

Chicago, Illinois, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with motor vehicle theft carjacking.

EDMUND SINGLETON and two co-defendants conspired to commit the carjackings on a single night in November 2022. In the first carjacking, Singleton drove the trio in a stolen car to a gas station in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago, where the co-defendants violently took an Infiniti Q50 sedan from a driver who was pumping gas. One of the co-defendants jammed a gun so hard into the victim’s back that it left a bruise.

A few hours later, Singleton drove the trio to a gas station in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, where the co-defendants attempted to take a BMW X6 from a driver who was also pumping gas. The co-defendants pointed guns at the driver, who walked with the assistance of crutches. The victim fell to the ground after being approached by the armed men. The co-defendants tried to drive away in the BMW but gave up when they couldn’t operate the victim’s specially designed car. The co-defendants retreated into Singleton’s car, and he sped away from the scene.

A law enforcement officer soon spotted Singleton’s vehicle, and a chase involving police helicopters ensued. As police closed in, the defendants abandoned Singleton’s car and fled on foot while armed with guns. The defendants ran through backyards of residential homes and dropped their guns before police arrested them.

A federal jury last year convicted Singleton, 35, and co-defendant RAMONE BRADLEY, 27, both of Chicago, on carjacking and firearm offenses. On Jan. 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly sentenced Singleton to 17 years in federal prison. Judge Kennelly found that Singleton committed obstruction of justice before trial when he paid a co-defendant to author a false alibi affidavit for Singleton.

Judge Kennelly last year sentenced Bradley to nine years in federal prison.

The third defendant—MARQUELL DAVIS, 23, of Chicago—pleaded guilty prior to trial and admitted his role in the carjackings. Judge Kennelly last year sentenced Davis to 12 years in federal prison.

The sentences were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.

“Defendant’s crimes were serious, violent, and showed a complete disregard for human life,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elie Zenner and Simar Khera argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Carjackings like those here not only leave the victims scarred and perhaps looking for new places to live, but they impact the sense of safety and security for all Chicagoans.”

The Defendant: was found guilty on counts one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) of the indictment. The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of: Two hundred and four (204) months. Eighty-four (84) months on count three (3), sixty (60) months as to count one (1); and one hundred and twenty (120) months as counts two, four, and five. Count three (3) is to run consecutively to all other counts. Counts 1, 2, 4, and 5 are to run concurrently. The sentence considers the Court's view that the defendant will receive credit for the time he served in state custody on case number 23 CR 538601. The defendant is remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal. Upon release from imprisonment, you shall be on supervised release for a term of: Three (3) years as to counts one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5). The terms are to run concurrently. Any costs of supervision are waived. Criminal Monetary Penalties. Schedule of Payments. Preliminary Order of Forfeiture.