2 more charged for carjacking scheme targeting Uber, Lyft drivers

Two more Minneapolis men have been charged in connection to a carjacking scheme that targeted rideshare drivers.

Last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 18-year-old Shevirio “Rio” Kavirion Childs-Young and 20-year-old William Charles Saffold in connection to the scheme. Friday, it charged 19-year-old Eric Harrell Knight and 21-year-old Javeyon Demario Tate in the same scheme.

“As outlined in the superseding indictment, these defendants targeted and terrorized Uber and Lyft drivers. These carjackings were not one offs or random opportunities for joyriding; they were organized,
calculated, violent crimes,” U.S. Attorney Luger said in a statement. “I want to acknowledge the collaborative work of federal, state, and local law enforcement in investigating and charging this violent carjacking ring.”

Prosecutors allege that the men lured rideshare drivers to specific locations under the guise of picking up or dropping off passengers. Once there, the men pulled out guns, demanded cellphones and wallets from the drivers and often forced them at gunpoint to provide passcodes. They’d then transfer money through Cash App or other applications to their accounts.

Additionally, the victims were often hit, pistol-whipped and threatened by the suspects.

All four men are charged with conspiracy, brandishing guns during a violent crime, aiding and abetting carjacking, and aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery. Saffold is also charged with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, and Tate faces a charge of unlawful possession of a machine gun.

Knight and Tate made their initial court appearances Friday and were ordered to remain in custody, pending detention hearings.

Childs-Young and Saffold were initially indicted in April and also remain in custody.