Judge sentences St. Louis man to life in prison for fatal carjacking

ST. LOUIS – James Flannel, 37, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge E. Richard Webber on today’s date.  Flannel was sentenced to life in prison for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a carjacking that resulted in the death of Boris Iouioukine, a Laclede Cab Company driver on June 25, 2018. Flannel previously pleaded guilty on August 2, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, Flannel was in the possession of a nine-millimeter firearm on June 25, 2018.  Flannel called the Laclede Cab Company and ordered a taxi.  A red minivan taxi being driven by victim Boris Iouioukine responded to Flannel’s request.  Flannel got into the taxi armed with the nine-millimeter firearm.  While inside the taxi, Flannel shot and killed Boris Iouioukine in 2500 block of East Dodier within the City of St. Louis.  Boris Iouioukine’s body was left in the street by Flannel.  Flannel drove the taxi after the shooting to the area of Castle Point in Saint Louis County, Missouri.  Flannel parked the taxi at the driveway of a residence in the 10000 block of Duke Drive and fled. 

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received calls for help relative to a man down in the middle of the street.  Police and the fire department responded and located Boris Iouioukine deceased at the scene.  Victim Boris Iouioukine’s taxi was located by police on the morning of June 26, 2018.  Among other things, a nine-millimeter shell casing was located and seized from the driver’s side floorboard.  Other items were seized from inside the taxi, including a water bottle.  Analysis of the water bottle located Flannel’s print on it.  Flannel was charged by way of federal complaint on June 27, 2018.   

On August 10, 2018, investigators initiated an investigation within Spanish Lake Park to locate and recover the nine-millimeter firearm utilized by Flannel during the armed carjacking and murder.  A search within the park eventually located a Taurus make, Millennium G2 model, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.  The firearm was operable and loaded with 13 rounds.  Subsequent ballistic analysis of the firearm confirmed that the shell casing recovered from the within taxi was fired from the nine-millimeter firearm located and seized from within Spanish Lake Park.     

“This sentence is the product of the excellent, collaborative work of our law enforcement officers. Its severity should send a clear message: should you choose to commit such a senseless, violent crime in this region, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney Sayler Fleming following the sentence.  “The community is tired of this abhorrent nonsense. Mr. Iouioukine, a hardworking and valued member of society, left behind family, friends, and co-workers who loved him dearly. We can only hope that the resolution of this matter brings them some comfort and closure.”

“This case demonstrates the importance of using ballistic intelligence to identify those using firearms to commit violent crimes in our community” Fred Winston, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division said.  “The comprehensive use of ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) by our state and local law enforcement partners, provides ATF the unprecedented ability to link shootings and other crimes of gun violence based on forensic evidence alone.  ATF will continue to use NIBIN and other crime gun intelligence tools, to identify trigger pullers in St. Louis and hold them accountable for their actions.”

This case was made possible, in part, by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

The St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments; United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Metro West Fire Protection District’s Dive/Rescue Response Team investigated this case.