Gang Member Sentenced To 32 Years For Carjackings

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — A Cleveland Heights man has received 32 years in prison for his role in six carjackings in Tremont. Tervon’tae Taylor, 24, is believed to be part of the Heartless Felons gang and helped steal six cars in the summer of 2015.

Taylor was sentenced earlier this week, according to U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. Four other defendants connected to the crimes have already been sentenced to lengthy prison sentences. Kenneth Jackson Jr., from Cleveland, was given 64 years; Antowine Palmer was given 14 years; D'Wan Dillard was sentenced to 16 years; and Calvin Rembert was given six years.

Herdman's office said Taylor often flashed a gun during his carjackings. (To stay up to date on these stories, subscribe to the Patch Cleveland Heights newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

The Heartless Felons street gang that Taylor may have been part of was feuding with another gang and planning to conduct drive-by shootings. The group went to Tremont to steal a car that would be unrecognizable to police.

“These men terrorized victims and the city with their dangerous, gun-wielding car thefts,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said in a statement. “The Violent Crime Task Force and our local partners are committed to aggressively investigate predators who choose to engage in heinous acts of violence against our citizens.”

According to law enforcement, on August 14, 2015, Taylor and Dillard robbed a man leaving a Tremont restaurant. They pistol whipped the man, took his wallet, and then stole his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Five days later, the duo stole another man's Porsche.

“These defendants have collectively been sentenced to more than 130 years in prison,” Herdman said. “With our federal, state and local partners, we are committed to pursuing those who target our citizens with violence and fear, whether they’re online, overseas or on the streets of Cleveland.”

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