BIRMINGHAM - A federal grand jury today indicted a Fairfield man for an armed car-jacking in Birmingham’s Avondale community in March, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David W. Archey.
A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges MANUEL ALI TOWNS, 28, with taking a Nissan Altima from an individual on March 14 by force, violence and intimidation, and with intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. The indictment identifies the victim of the carjacking by the initials, B.M.D.
The indictment’s second count charges Towns with discharging a firearm during the carjacking.
The maximum penalty for carjacking is 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The penalty for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence is a minimum of 10 years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed for the crime. The charge carries a maximum $250,000 fine.
The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Simpson is prosecuting.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
