United States of America v. Damarri Conner

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

On the evening of Nov. 2, 2023, DAMARRI CONNER and KENNETH MERRITT carjacked an Audi sedan in the backyard of a residence in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. A woman and her daughter had just returned home in another vehicle when Conner and Merritt sprang from a hiding place and attacked them. Conner punched the woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground, and then pointed a loaded handgun at her. Conner then pointed the gun at the woman’s husband, who had rushed outside to help his family and calm the situation by providing instructions to the carjackers on how to start the Audi. The carjackers took the Audi and drove off. The carjacking was captured on surveillance videos, which can be viewed here and here.

Conner, having stolen the keys to the victims’ other car—a Range Rover—during the carjacking, returned to the victims’ home on Nov. 14, 2023, and took the Range Rover from in front of the house. Law enforcement was able to track the Range Rover to Conner’s neighborhood and later found him hiding in the closet of a residence, leading to his arrest.

Conner, 23, of Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal carjacking and firearm offenses.

“Carjackings are among the most personal and terrifying crimes committed in this District,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elie Zenner argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum in Conner’s case. “This crime was heinous and violent. The trauma he inflicted on his victims will take years to repair.”

Damarri Conner pleaded guilty to count(s) Count 1 and 2 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: 90 months as to Count 1; 7 years as to Count 2. Terms to run consecutively. The court makes the following recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons: The Court recommends that the Defendant be designated to a facility in or near Terre Haute, IN, participate in the RDAP program, and receive sentence credit for his term in custody starting November 14, 2023. Upon release from imprisonment, you shall be on supervised release for a term of: Three (3) years as to Count I; Five (5) years as to Count II, to run concurrently to Count I. Criminal Monetary Penalties. Schedule of Payments. Mailed copy to defendant Damarri Conner's counsel of record Steven Greenberg.