Hennepin County jury convicts Carl Stanley Williams of rape at gunpoint following carjacking

Jury also convicted on kidnapping, aggravated robbery counts

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty released the following statement after a Hennepin County jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Carl Stanley Williams, 38, on all charges, including two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count each of kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Sentencing will occur at a future date.

"We are grateful to the jury for their service and that we were able to hold Mr. Williams legally accountability for this horrific, violent crime,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “This crime strikes at the heart of community fears about safety. The victim was simply putting gas in her car when Mr. Williams attacked her. Thank you to the officers who responded and were able to track him down quickly. We are deeply committed to aggressively prosecuting this violence.”

The incident, which occurred January 14, 2022, began outside a gas station in south Minneapolis. According to the criminal complaint, Williams abducted the victim from a gas station after she had finished putting gas in her car. While holding a gun and wearing a ski mask, Williams ordered the victim into her car’s passenger seat, he got into the driver’s seat, and then drove out of the gas station. Williams continued to point the gun at the victim and demanded her purse. After approximately ten minutes, Williams then pulled over and forced the victim at gunpoint to perform oral sex on him.

The victim was determined to escape and attempted to use a stun gun on Williams and then was able to get out of the car, and run down the block, calling out for help. A homeowner on the street invited her into his home and called police, while Williams drove away.

A short time later, officers in the area of the gas station responded to additional reports of carjacking attempts committed by a man matching the description of Williams. Officers returned to the gas station and found Williams lurking near the gas pumps. Officers quickly apprehended him.

Carl Stanley Williams Criminal Complaint (PDF)