Crime on Chicago’s transit system, particularly the famed L train lines, continues to be a challenge for the city. But what consequences will people face if they are caught and convicted of a violent crime on the CTA?
Our team tracks hundreds of felony cases from start to finish so we can report back with the courthouse results, which usually aren’t finalized until long after the headlines fade. Here are some sentences handed down in CTA crimes we told you about on in 2020 and 2021.
Terry Davis, 31, has pleaded guilty to committing three separate robberies in two hours at the Jackson Red Line platform on February 11, 2021. He was on parole for narcotics and on bond for retail theft at the time of the crimes.
In once case, Davis asked a man for money, then allegedly punched the victim in the face and body when he said he didn’t have any. Davis allegedly took the victim’s satchel, phone, and passport, then went through the victim’s pockets to take another phone and cash.
Prosecutors did not detail the other two crimes during Davis’ bail hearing, but they said the robberies took place ten minutes apart shortly before midnight.
Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced Davis to 10 years on each robbery count to be served concurrently. Prosecutors dropped multiple counts of aggravated battery, robbery, and unlawful restraint in their plea deal.
The state will reduce Davis’ sentence by 50% for good behavior and he received 397 days credit for time spent in custody before sentencing. His parole date was set for February 13, 2026.
Ein Julian, 20, received a three year sentence from Judge Neera Walsh for robbing a 25-year-old man on a Red Line train near Jackson on April 9, 2020. The victim told police three people jumped him — one offender pushed him into the wall of the train and took valuables from his pockets while another punched him. Prosecutors also charged two juveniles in the case.
A judge released him on a recognizance bond, but Julian was arrested two months later after he allegedly waved a knife on streets near the Irving Park Brown Line station. Walsh also sentenced multiple concurrent three year sentences for injuring the cops who arrested him after the second incident. His parole date was set for October 2024.
Prosecutors charged Jajuan Vaughan with mugging five women aboard CTA trains across the North Side during August 2020. Police linked him to robberies at the Chicago Brown Line, Jefferson Park Blue Line, Chicago Red Line, Lawrence Red Line, and an unspecified Loop L station.
He reached a plea deal with prosecutors in which he pleaded guilty to five counts of theft. They reduced three counts from robbery. Judge Catherine Haberkorn sentenced him to two years on each case to be served concurrently. Vaughan reported to prison in August 2021 and went home a week later after receiving a 50% reduction for good behavior and credit for time spent in custody before sentencing.
In October 2020, prosecutors charged Michael Sturdivant with robbery for allegedly beating and robbing a passenger who fell asleep on the Orange Line downtown. Judge Charles Beach allowed him to get out of jail by posting $500 bond.
Less than three months later, Sturdivant, 27, and two others allegedly beat and robbed a man who was sleeping on a Red Line train downtown. Sturdivant later told police he helped fight the victim because he “didn’t want to look like a p*ssy,” prosecutors said.
Before he got caught, Sturdivant and the unnamed accomplices allegedly robbed another man on the Red Line platform at 63rd Street.
He has now pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery. Judge Stanley Sacks sentenced him to three years on each count, with one term served consecutive to the others. Prosecutors dropped aggravated battery charges. Sturdivant’s parole date is set for January 2024.
Last February, prosecutors charged Demetrius Robinson with burglary for allegedly burglarizing a Lakeview apartment building’s package room. Judge Charles Beach set his bail at $5,000 and ordered him to stay in the house from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. if he can post a $500 bond to get out of jail.
Just five months later, while on bail for the burglary, Robinson and an accomplice robbed a man on the Red Line near Thorndale, prosecutors said. They allegedly demanded the victim’s money while punching him in the face and body. They took his phone, credit cards, and headphones, then exited at the next stop.
Robinson, 20, pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary in exchange for concurrent three-year sentences from Judge Michael Hood. He received 361 days credit for time spent in custody before sentencing and a 50% reduction for good behavior. His parole date is set for August 17.
Two men who allegedly attacked and robbed a victim on the Jackson Red Line platform last September received significantly different sentences after they pleaded guilty to charges, court records show.
Prosecutors said Lamonte Taylor-Gwin, 21, took the victim’s wallet from his back pocket as he struggled with an unknown accomplice. When the victim refused to comply, Jacarri Kelly allegedly walked up and began fighting with him. CTA video allegedly shows Taylor-Gwin going through the man’s wallet and then tossing it on the ground.
Police arrested Taylor-Gwin shortly after detectives released surveillance images of the suspects to the public. Kelly, 22, was arrested after his own mother recognized him in the police images and contacted CPD.
Kelly pleaded guilty in exchange for a sentence of 24 months probation with 100 hours of community service from Judge Tyria Walton, according to court records.
But Taylor-Gwin, who has an extensive background that includes robbery and burglary convictions, received five years from Judge Michael McHale after pleading guilty to aggravated battery of a transit employee. Prosecutors dropped a robbery charge in their plea deal.
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