Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking, Armed Robbery, and Firearms Offenses in August 2023 Crime Spree

            WASHINGTON – Montello Washington, 18, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, one count of armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during crimes of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

            Washington entered his guilty plea on August 16, 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Judge Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2024. Carjacking carries a mandatory minimum term of seven years of incarceration and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum term of five years of incarceration.

            During the plea hearing, Washington admitted that at around 1:00 a.m., on August 16, 2023, the victim arrived at the courtyard of an apartment complex in the 5400 block of 9th Street NW after his work shift via Uber. When the victim got out of his Uber, Washington and another male got out of a red Hyundai sedan and approached him. Washington brandished a firearm with a red laser sight and pointed it at the victim, telling him it was a robbery. The victim handed over his phone, wallet, and keys.

            On the same day, at approximately 2:20 a.m., another victim parked his car, a white BMW, in the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue NW. The victim was closing the driver’s side door when a red sedan stopped next to his car. Washington exited the driver’s side of the red sedan, brandished a firearm, and demanded the victim’s car keys and phone. The victim gave Washington his car keys but refused to give up his phone. Washington then got into the victim’s BMW and drove away.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Dinan and Sabena Auyeung of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.