A Minneapolis man and woman are facing federal charges following a violent Twin Cities carjacking spree that took place between late July and December 2020.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota W. Anders Folk announced a federal indictment this week charging Jeremiah Lee Ironrope, 24, and Krisanne Marie Benjamin, 25, with multiple carjackings that occurred across the Twin Cities during the time span.
Four incidents are specified in the indictment that cover a period from late July through late December last year. The charges state that Ironrope and Benjamin used force, violence and intimidation with the intent to cause serious bodily harm while carrying out the alleged crimes.
Ironrope has been charged with four counts of carjacking and Benjamin with three. The charges state that Ironrope brandished a sawed-off 12-guage shotgun in an August 28 carjacking. As a result, he faces an additional charge of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Ironrope’s recent Hennepin County Jail booking listed two dozen cases including at least 25 felony charges comprising aggravated robbery, burglary, assault, financial card fraud, narcotics and theft across multiple jurisdictions and cities. Benjamin’s recent booking lists 11 cases including seven felony charges.
Ironrope has a lengthy arrest history and was also wanted by the FBI early last year for unspecified crimes, but he was rumored to have stolen an FBI vest, according to recorded police dispatch audio from February 2020.
Benjamin’s record includes numerous driving offenses and a felony conviction for check forgery in 2017.
Ironrope made his initial court appearance on Monday and Benjamin made hers on March 25. Both defendants are being held in Sherburne County Jail and have been ordered to remain in custody without bail.
According to the U.S. attorney, this case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the police departments in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Maple Grove, Richfield, Edina and Roseville, as well as the Minnesota State Patrol.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
