A federal grand jury has indicted Maurice D. Lee, Jr., for allegedly carjacking two vehicles and robbing two credit unions in Chicago. The indictment was returned in the U.S. District Court in Chicago, detailing that the incidents occurred in May of last year.
According to the indictment, on May 10, 2024, Lee allegedly took a Toyota from a driver and robbed a credit union at the University of Illinois Chicago. A week later, on May 17, 2024, he reportedly committed another carjacking and robbery at the same location. In both instances, Lee is accused of brandishing a handgun.
Lee faces multiple charges: two counts of carjacking, two counts of robbery, and four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Each firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, leading to a total mandatory minimum sentence of 28 years if convicted. The robbery charges could result in up to 20 years each, while each carjacking count carries up to 15 years.
Lee was apprehended two days after the second alleged robbery and remained in state custody until his arrest last month on federal charges. He is currently detained without bond as he awaits trial in federal court. His arraignment is scheduled for July 7, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.
The announcement came from Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office; with assistance from the University of Illinois Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Asheeka Desai represents the government.
The public is reminded that an indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt; Lee is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
