NASHVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Three Nashville men and a Nashville woman are facing federal charges following a multi-agency pursuit that began in Nashville and ended with a carjacking and crash in Clarksville, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin.
Javon Kelly, 20, Juan Rodriguez, 19, I’yendale Byrd, 18, and Armesia Newsom, 18, were charged Friday with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, according to a news release.
On May 11, Metropolitan Nashville Police detectives were conducting surveillance in the area of the Cumberland Pointe Apartments, after receiving information from the FBI of a planned shooting, which was to be carried out by a member of the Vice Lords Gang, the release said. Detectives saw Kelly and Rodriguez, who were armed with handguns, enter a vehicle driven by Newsom and also occupied by Byrd. Detectives continued surveillance of the car as it travelled in a reckless manner on Buena Vista Pike.
An MNPD detective tried to stop the car, but it fled into Montgomery County and struck a light pole in Clarksville, after which the suspects ran. While being pursued by Clarksville Police, the suspects approached a Chevrolet Silverado truck, pointed their guns at the driver and ordered him out, the release said. The suspects entered the truck and fled again, before crashing in Clarksville and being apprehended.
Five firearms were recovered from the suspects.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, and up to life in prison.