‘Beamteam’ gangbanger gets 9 years in federal prison for Willis Tower carjacking
Federal Judge Sentences Man to Nine Years for Carjacking Rideshare Driver
A federal judge has handed down a nine-year prison sentence to Joshua Walker for carjacking a rideshare driver at gunpoint outside the Willis Tower in January 2021.
Walker pleaded guilty to federal charges of carjacking and using a machine gun during a violent crime, leading to the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland. The sentence includes a two-year term for the carjacking charge and a consecutive seven-year term for the firearm charge.
The carjacking outside the Willis Tower was part of a series of violent crimes committed by Walker and his associates, known as the “Beamteam” gang.
During the incident, Walker approached a rideshare driver sitting in his car outside the Willis Tower, pointed a firearm at him, and demanded he exit the vehicle and hand over his phone. The victim complied, and the carjackers fled with the victim’s car, followed by another stolen vehicle.
Following the carjacking, Walker drove the stolen vehicle to his home and then attempted to sell the victim’s phone at a Boost Mobile store. Prosecutors revealed that Walker’s accomplice in the carjacking went on to commit a murder in Oak Park shortly after the Willis Tower incident.
Although Walker was not present during the murder, he made a concerning Facebook post alluding to the crime, stating, “Can’t be scared to take a life … we already taking risks.”
Prosecutors are considering pursuing the death penalty against Walker’s accomplice for the murder in Oak Park.
Walker’s gang, the Beamteam, was known for using laser beams on the end of their firearms during violent acts, including armed carjackings and robberies targeted at both rival gangs and the community at large.
In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors outlined additional violent crimes linked to Walker, including armed carjackings and street robberies in May 2019, as well as a series of armed robberies at Dunkin’ locations across the city in February 2021.
After one crime spree, Walker sent a voice message admitting to robbing multiple people that morning, highlighting the extent of his criminal activities.
Conclusion
Joshua Walker’s involvement in violent crimes, including the carjacking of a rideshare driver outside the Willis Tower, has resulted in a nine-year federal prison sentence. His affiliation with the Beamteam gang and his history of armed robberies and carjackings underscore the need for strong penalties to curb such criminal behavior in the community.
