Odessa Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for January Carjacking

MIDLAND, Texas – An Odessa man was sentenced in federal court in Midland to 30 years in prison for carjacking and discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

According to court documents, Isaac Ramirez Carrasco, 38, carjacked a couple on Jan. 30 by pointing a shotgun at the driver and ordering both occupants out of their vehicle. The victim did not initially comply, and Carrasco fired the shotgun at least one time in the air before returning his aim to the victim. The couple ultimately exited the truck and Carrasco drove away in it. Odessa Police were able to track the truck to a nearby residence, where they also located Carrasco and the shotgun.

“This 30-year sentence sends a strong message that violent crime in our community will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “Carrasco demonstrated a complete and total disregard for human life and risked causing innocent people severe injury or worse. Thanks to the response by our local law enforcement partners, Carrasco is off the streets and our community is safer.”

“The partnerships that we have with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors allows us to create a safer community for all of our citizens,” said Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke. “We are appreciative that multiple entities came together to remove this dangerous criminal from our streets.”

The Midland/Odessa Violent Crimes Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Mahoney prosecuted the case.

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