Prairie State Wire

A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted Maurice D. Lee, Jr., on charges related to carjacking and robbery incidents that allegedly occurred in May 2024. According to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court, Lee is accused of two carjackings and two robberies involving credit unions at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The first incident reportedly took place on May 10, 2024, when Lee allegedly stole a Toyota from a driver and proceeded to rob a credit union. A similar sequence of events allegedly occurred on May 17, 2024. In both cases, Lee is accused of brandishing a handgun.

Lee faces multiple charges including two counts each of carjacking and robbery, as well as four counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The firearm charges carry mandatory minimum sentences totaling 28 years if convicted. Robbery charges could lead to up to 20 years in prison per count, while each carjacking charge carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years.

Following his arrest shortly after the second alleged robbery, Lee was held in state custody until his recent arrest for federal charges. He remains detained without bond pending trial, with arraignment scheduled for July 7, 2025.

The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Douglas S. DePodesta from the FBI's Chicago Field Office. Support came from the University of Illinois Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Asheeka Desai representing the government.

It is important to note that an indictment is not proof of guilt; Lee is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.