BEAUMONT, TX - United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today a 19-year-old Houston man has been convicted of federal kidnapping charges in the Eastern District of Texas.

LAROMANAIN DONTE ANDERSON was found guilty by a jury this afternoon following a three-day trial in federal court. Anderson and co-defendant PERCY LEE OLIVER, 21, of Kenner, Louisiana,were indicted late last year on federal kidnapping charges.

According to information presented in court, on December 23, 2006, a Houston family was traveling through Beaumont after visiting relatives in Louisiana when they stopped at a convenience store on Interstate-10. Two adults exited the SUV leaving two children and their mother asleep in the vehicle. Anderson and Oliver then pulled the sleeping woman from the SUV, throwing her to the ground, and leaving in the vehicle. An “Amber Alert” was issued for the vehicle and the children, ages 7 and 8. The vehicle was spotted in Sulphur, Louisiana, at which time a chase ensued on Interstate-10 through Lake Charles, ending when the SUV struck an 18-wheeler and flipped out of control. Oliver and Anderson were then apprehended and the children were reunited with their parents.

The guilty verdict was returned today after a three day trial before Chief United States District Judge Thad Heartfield. The jury deliberated about an hour before reaching their verdict.

Oliver pleaded guilty to the charges before the trial began. They both face up to life in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not been set.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Beaumont Police Department, the Louisiana State Police and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Hobbs.

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