Minneapolis Woman Sentenced For Role in Carjacking Spree

Minneapolis (KROC-AM News) - A Minneapolis woman was sentenced to 100 months in prison for her role in a string of violent carjackings throughout the Twin Cities.

According to the Department of Justice, 25-year-old Krisanne Benjamin was sentenced to 100 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $13,323.53 in restitution.

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Court documents show on August 28th, 2020, Benjamin, and 25-year-old Jeremiah Ironrope, drove a maroon SUV to a parking lot in Richfield, where they parked near a 2017 Audi. Ironrope approached the driver of the Audi and pointed a 12-gauge shotgun, with a sawed-off barrel, at the driver and demanded the car keys. Benjamin kept watch from the maroon SUV as Ironrope started the Audi and drove away. Benjamin then followed him in the maroon SUV.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours the next day, the Minnesota State Patrol located the stolen Audi, which was driven by Ironrope and occupied by Benjamin. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Ironrope drove away at a high rate of speed. During the chase, Benjamin got out of the vehicle and fled on foot while Ironrope continued to flee in the Audi.

The vehicle was eventually found running and unoccupied in Minneapolis. Documents say that the vehicle was partially spray-painted, and officers found a stolen wallet, bottles of spray paint, a hat, gloves, and receipts in the vehicle. Police also found a used 12-gauge shotgun shell under the driver's seat.

Records show that Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting carjacking on September 7th, 2021. On September 9th, 2021, Ironrope pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 7, 2022.

As part of their guilty pleas, Ironrope and Benjamin admitted to two additional carjackings that occurred on July 26th, 2020, in Maple Grove and August 7th, 2020, in St. Paul. In both instances, the defendants physically assaulted the victims before stealing their vehicles. Ironrope also admitted to two December 2020 carjackings occurring in St. Louis Park and St. Paul. In both instances, Ironrope pointed a handgun at the victims before stealing their vehicles.