Second Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for His Role in Armed Carjacking

DAYTON—Jakova K. James-Sims, 20, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 120 months in prison for his role in an armed carjacking thwarted by FBI agents 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 by District Judge Timothy S. Black.

James-Sims pleaded guilty on October 13, 2011 to one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. His co-defendant, Demond R. Johnigan, 19, was sentenced to 21 years in prison on July 28, 2011 after pleading guilty to one count each of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, following a December 16, 2010 incident in which Johnigan, whom James-Sims knew was armed with a firearm, pointed the weapon at an FBI agent trying to apprehend them.

James-Sims and Johnigan went to the parking lot of Roosevelt Recreation Center, located in Montgomery County, Ohio, and approached a victim as the victim stood near his car. Johnigan drew a firearm, pointed it at the victim, and demanded the victim’s money while James-Sims patted down the victim in search of 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, James-Sims and Johnigan noticed an SUV was following them and proceeded to park the car in an open garage and exit the vehicle. Johnigan then raised his firearm and pointed it at the approaching SUV, which was being driven by an FBI special agent who was following the pair after observing the carjacking. The FBI agent put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the alley as he called for assistance. James-Sims and Johnigan were apprehended after a brief foot chase.

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

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