David M. Toepfer, U.S. Attorney | Official Website
David M. Toepfer, U.S. Attorney | Official Website
The final sentencing has been handed down in a case involving a 2021 carjacking and kidnapping incident in Cleveland. The three defendants, Anton Woodley, 22, Cashaun Woodley, 24, and Lavontay Johnson, 23, all from Cleveland, had previously admitted guilt to charges of carjacking. They were involved in an armed operation where they forcibly took an individual's money and vehicle.
Court records detail the events of December 12, 2021. A male victim was visiting downtown Cleveland when he met two women who suggested going to a nearby apartment building. One woman alerted the defendants about the man she had encountered and helped orchestrate the robbery plan. The Woodley brothers and Johnson awaited the victim's exit from the building. Upon his appearance, they ambushed him with firearms at gunpoint, forced him into his car's backseat, and drove off with him.
Throughout the ordeal, the defendants demanded money while threatening him with guns. They coerced him into transferring funds from his accounts using his cellphone. After driving around Cleveland's east side for some time, they released him on East 80th Street before fleeing in his vehicle.
Later that month, Garfield Heights police recovered the stolen car after pursuing Johnson on foot. During this pursuit, officers found a Glock 23 pistol discarded along Johnson’s path.
U.S. District Court Judge Pamela A. Barker delivered sentences as follows:
- Anton Woodley received a sentence of 78 months (6.5 years) imprisonment on July 15, 2025.
- Lavontay Johnson was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) imprisonment on March 13, 2025.
- Cashaun Woodley was sentenced to 100 months (8.3 years) imprisonment on December 19, 2024.
All three will undergo three years of supervised release post-imprisonment and must pay $1,240 each in restitution.
The investigation was led by FBI Cleveland Division along with Cleveland Division of Police and Garfield Heights Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines prosecuted this case for the Northern District of Ohio.
Alerts Sign-up