Verdict Rendered In Meriden Carjacking Case: U.S. Attorney

MERIDEN, CT — A 30-year-old West Haven man was found guilty in federal court in Hartford Tuesday in connection with a Jan. 1, 2016 carjacking in Meriden, according to United States Attorney John H. Durham.

The trial of Don Meeker, before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant, began on December 8 and the jury returned its verdict late Tuesday afternoon. He was arrested on March 9, 2017, and was convicted of one count of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation.

According to Durham and the evidence at trial, in January of 2016, two men from out of state who were driving a rented 2015 Volkswagen Passat were victims of an armed carjacking in the vicinity of Hobart Street and Myrtle Street in Meriden.

"The victims reported that they had stopped to ask an individual, later identified as Kyle Valentine, for directions to a gas station," according to prosecutors. "Valentine told the victims to follow a car in which Valentine was a passenger. After traveling a few minutes, the car stopped. Valentine and Elbert Llorrens then exited the car and approached the Passat. Llorens pointed a handgun at one of the victims who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car, opened the door and stated 'I want everything.' The victims exited the car and Llorens and Valentine stole their wallets and cell phones and then drove away in the Passat."

Meeker drove the car that the carjacking victims followed, according to prosecutors, and he provided the handgun to Llorens. After the robbery, Meeker, Llorens and Valentine spilt the money stolen from the victims.

The charge Meeker was convicted of carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Judge Bryant scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2018. Judge Bryant also ordered Meeker, who has been released on a $200,000 bond since June 2016, to be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Elbert Llorens and Kyle Valentine, both of New Haven, previously pleaded guilty to charges related to their roles in this carjacking. On March 20, 2017, Llorens was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment. Valentine awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Haven, Meriden, Milford, New Haven and West Haven Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Patrick F. Caruso.

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