Federal Grand Jury Indicts Gadsden Man for Multiple Carjackings

BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury indicted a Gadsden man for two November 25, 2018 carjackings announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

Luis Sebastian Tello, 23, is charged in a five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court with stealing a vehicle at gunpoint from a pizza delivery driver in Gadsden, Alabama and then carjacking a second vehicle from two out-of-state travelers at a gas station in Trussville, Alabama.  Springville Police Department then stopped Tello for speeding on Interstate 59.  Tello fled into the woods and officers from multiple agencies engaged in a manhunt that resulted in his capture later that evening.  Tello is charged with two counts of carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“We commend the FBI, ATF, St. Clair Correctional Facility’s tracking dog team, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the police departments of Gadsden, Trussville, Springville, and Odenville for their investigation and quick apprehension of this individual,” Town said.  “Violent offenders who prey on unsuspecting victims will be taken of the street.”

The maximum penalty for carjacking is 15 years in prison.  The penalty for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence is not less than 7 years in prison.  The maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison.  Each of the charges carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

FBI investigated the case along with ATF, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Gadsden Police Department, Trussville Police Department, Springville Police Department and Odenville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty is prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.