Men Sentenced for 2022 Carjacking and Armed Robberies

Federal Judges Imposes Long Prison Terms

Three of four men convicted in a spate of 2022 carjackings and armed robberies have been sentenced by a federal judge, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Sentencing Details

This week, federal judges sentenced Tyler Oates-Nelson, 29, to 15 years; and Davario McDowell, 25, to 18 years in federal prison, according to prosecutors. Two weeks ago, Damandre Henley, 28, was sentenced to 22 years; and Dwight Hansberry, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced March 20.

Guilty Pleas and Initial Charges

All four pleaded guilty to federal carjacking and armed robbery charges last fall, according to court documents. When they were initially charged in March 2023, the four were accused of stealing a car at gunpoint in the 800 block of West Erie Street in West Town on September 28, 2022. Prosecutors later discovered they committed four other carjackings.

Sequence of Events

The men had driven to the West Town neighborhood in Oates-Nelson’s vehicle around 11:30 p.m., and Henley, Hansberry, and McDowell pointed guns at the driver of a Volkswagen Tiguan with an infant in a rear car seat while ordering them out of the vehicle, according to court documents. One of them patted down the driver, taking a registered handgun, before the driver removed the infant from the car and the four drove away with the stolen vehicle.

In the next 10 minutes, they committed two armed robberies in the 2600 block of West Lawrence Avenue in Lincoln Square and in the 4600 block of North Rockwell Street in Ravenswood, pointing guns at victims before robbing them.

The next day, they went to a 7-Eleven in the 2900 block of West Montrose Avenue in Albany Park and pulled a gun on the clerk working there, according to court documents. They forced him into a back room and hit him in the head with a weapon — causing him to bleed “profusely” — before stealing liquor and cigarettes, and grabbing cash from the register.

Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Goods

A short time later, the group encountered Chicago police officers and fled before being arrested, according to court documents. Officers recovered $560 in cash and three 9mm pistols, along with a tracking device from the 7-Eleven among merchandise they had taken from the store.

Conclusion

The sentences handed down to these four men serve as a warning to others involved in similar criminal activity. The U.S. attorney’s office and law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to combat carjacking and armed robbery cases, ensuring that those who commit these crimes face justice and pay the price for their actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who were the four men sentenced? Tyler Oates-Nelson, Damandre Henley, Davario McDowell, and Dwight Hansberry.
• What were they convicted of? Federal carjacking and armed robbery charges.
• How long were they sentenced to? Tyler Oates-Nelson to 15 years, Davario McDowell to 18 years, Damandre Henley to 22 years, and Dwight Hansberry is scheduled to be sentenced March 20.
• What is the total amount of cash recovered? $560.
• How many 9mm pistols were recovered? Three.
• What was the outcome of the 7-Eleven incident? The group pulled a gun on the clerk, forced him into a back room, hit him in the head with a weapon, and stole liquor, cigarettes, and cash from the register.