From the U.S. Attorney:
MAN SENTENCED TO 14 AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR CARJACKING VEHICLE AT GUNPOINT IN BACKYARD OF CHICAGO RESIDENCE
CHICAGO — A man who carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint in the backyard of a Chicago residence has been sentenced to 14 and a half years in federal prison.
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.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Sunil R. Harjani sentenced Conner to 14 and a half years in federal prison.
Merritt, 29, of Chicago, also pleaded guilty earlier this year to carjacking and firearm offenses. Judge Harjani scheduled Merritt’s sentencing for June 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Conner’s sentence was 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.
“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. T
“The trauma he inflicted on his victims will take years to repair.”
