Indiana Man and His Niece Indicted on Federal Kidnapping and Domestic Violence Charges

CHICAGO — An Indiana man and his niece have been indicted on federal kidnapping and domestic violence charges for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting the man’s former girlfriend.

ROBERT SPEED and his niece, SHIRLEY SPEED, held the victim against her will and repeatedly assaulted her with various dangerous weapons from July 26, 2019, to July 31, 2019, according to an indictment returned Wednesday in federal court in Chicago.  According to a criminal complaint previously filed in the case, the assaults occurred at residences in Chicago and Gary, Ind., as well as a hotel in the Chicago suburb of South Holland, during which the victim was repeatedly punched, hit with a crutch, kicked in the head and body, and choked with items such as an electrical cord.  The victim, who had a previous romantic relationship with Robert Speed, was eventually released and treated in a hospital for serious injuries, according to the charges.

The indictment charges Robert Speed, 36, of Gary, Ind., and Shirley Speed, 24, of Chicago, with one count of kidnapping and one count of interstate domestic violence.  Arraignments are scheduled for Oct. 10, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Cox.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Larry L. Lapp, acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI.  The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew L. Kutcher and Michelle Kramer.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The kidnapping charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison, while the domestic violence charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.