Two Charged with Federal Violations in Beaumont Carjackings

BEAUMONT, TX—A federal grand jury has indicted two men with federal firearms and carjacking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Timothy Wayne Harris, Jr., 19, of Beaumont, and Jerry Lee Edwards, 36, of Houston, were indicted on May 2, 2012 and charged with two counts each of carjacking and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

According to the indictment, on Apr. 17, 2012, Harris and Edwards are alleged to have used a firearm during the carjacking of a 2006 Cadillac CTF sedan from a man in Beaumont. On April 18, 2012, the defendants are alleged to have used a firearm in the carjacking of a 2007 GMC Sierra pickup from a woman in Beaumont.

If convicted, the defendants each face up to 15 years for the carjacking offenses and a minimum of seven years for the firearms offenses.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Beaumont Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ross.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.