Tonnaire McNair-Matthews, who is 24 years old, has been convicted by a federal jury on multiple charges including kidnapping, carjacking, Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy, and using a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and kidnapping. The verdict was accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly. David C. Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, made the announcement.
Court records and evidence presented during the four-day trial indicate that McNair-Matthews, along with David Hinson, Michael Caldwell, and Mahkiya Powell, planned to rob unsuspecting drivers by intentionally rear-ending them with a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee. Their intention was to rob the drivers when they got out to inspect the damage caused by the collision. Despite three unsuccessful attempts, McNair-Matthews drove the Jeep and rear-ended the victim before abducting them at gunpoint after approaching their car.
According to U.S. Attorney Weiss, the crime spree committed by the defendants was heinous and had devastating consequences. The collaboration between his office and state and federal law enforcement partners was exceptional, leading to the swift capture of Mr. McNair-Matthews and his co-conspirators. The joint effort will continue to focus on removing violent offenders from the streets. The victim’s bravery was commendable, and the guilty verdict delivered by the jury will hopefully provide some closure.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings expressed her sadness and disbelief at the amount of harm and violence carried out by McNair-Matthews and his accomplices in just one day. She extended her gratitude to Deputy Attorney General Diana Dunn, the rest of the team, Delaware and Pennsylvania State Police, and FBI partners for their expert help in bringing the perpetrators to justice and holding them accountable for their ruthless actions.
Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office stated that Tonnaire McNair-Matthews, being a violent rapist, kidnapper, and criminal, has no place in our society. With this conviction, McNair-Matthews is set to spend time behind bars for his cruel and horrifying attack on an innocent woman. DelBagno expressed his pride in the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force’s efforts in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners to identify and apprehend dangerous criminals like McNair-Matthews and bring them to justice.
The possibility of life imprisonment looms over McNair-Matthews. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly will take into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors in order to determine the appropriate sentence.
