Gang member convicted in March carjacking in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A man, who has been identified as a gang member, has been convicted in a carjacking that happened in Knoxville, according to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office.

DA Charme Allen’s office released on Friday that Tyler Benjamin Christian, 32, was convicted of carjacking, which is a Class B Felony, and driving on a revoked license. His sentencing is scheduled for September 27.

During the two-day trial, prosecutors told the jury that on March 20, 2024, Knoxville Police responded to a carjacking on Locust Street at Cafego Place in downtown Knoxville. The victim reportedly told police that she was there to pick up Christian and co-defendant Elizabeth Nichole Terry to take them to the KAT Terminal.

As the victim waited in the car, Christian approached the driver’s door and ripped her out of the driver’s seat and jumped into the vehicle, the DA’s office said. The release added that Terry also assaulted the victim before jumping into the car, and the two left in the victim’s vehicle.

The carjacking was captured by surveillance video, which shows the victim being drug out of the car and struggling with an individual as people walk by. The timestamp on the video shows the event happened around 12:40 p.m.

The DA’s office said Christian and Terry were arrested after they crashed the vehicle a short time later. Terry has since pleaded guilty to carjacking and aggravated assault and was sentenced to serve eight years in prison.

“Quick work by the police department took these dangerous offenders off our streets, and
hard work by the prosecutors in my office made sure they will stay off our streets for many
years,” said Allen.

According to Allen’s office, Christian has prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary, theft, and evading arrest, and he has been identified as a member of the Rollin 20s Crips gang. Because of his criminal history, he is facing between 12 and 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

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