July 28, 11

NEWS / Dayton Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Assaulting a Federal Agent During Armed Kidnapping

DAYTON—Demond R. Johnigan, 19, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to a total of 21 years in prison for, among other things, pointing a gun at an FBI agent who was trying to apprehend Johnigan after a kidnapping in December, 2010.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Dayton Police Chief Rick Biehl announced the sentence imposed today before District Judge Timothy S. Black.

Johnigan pleaded guilty on April 21, 2011 to one count each of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence

On December 16, 2010, Johnigan and Jakova James-Sims, 19, of Dayton, went to the parking lot of Roosevelt Recreation Center, located in Montgomery County, Ohio and approached a victim as the victim stood near his Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Johnigan drew a firearm, pointed it at the victim and demanded the victim’s money. While Johnigan held the victim at gunpoint, James-Sims patted down the victim searching for cash and other items of value. The men then forced the victim into the backseat of his own car, continued to demand cash, and continued to threaten to injure the victim if he did not comply with their demands for money.

Shortly after leaving the parking lot with the victim, Johnigan and James-Sims noticed an SUV was following them, and proceeded to park the car in an open garage and exit the vehicle. As he fled down an alley, Johnigan raised his firearm and pointed it at the approaching SUV, which was being driven by an FBI special agent who was following the subject after observing the carjacking. The FBI agent put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the alley as he called for assistance. Johnigan and James-Sims were apprehended after a brief foot chase, when officers found a loaded gun belonging to Johnigan nearby.

Charges against James-Sims are pending.

“Firearms related law enforcement fatalities have reached a 20-year high in 2011,” Stewart said. “We must protect those who protect us. I commend the quick reaction of the FBI agent and Dayton Police officers who made the arrests.”

Stewart also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Tabacchi and Mona Guerrier who prosecuted the case.

http://www.fbi.gov/cincinnati/press-releases/2011/dayton-man-sentenced-to-21-years-in-prison-for-assaulting-a-federal-agent-during-armed-kidnapping