A Louisville man has been sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison following a carjacking incident that resulted in the death of a teenage motorist. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and Shelby County Sheriff Mark Moore.
Michael Dewitt, aged 31, received a sentence of 20 years and 5 months in federal prison with an additional five years of supervised release for his involvement in the fatal carjacking. Court documents reveal that on March 1, 2021, Dewitt carried out a carjacking at gunpoint, stealing a 2011 Ford F350 from its owner in Simpsonville, Kentucky. During his escape with the stolen vehicle, he collided with another vehicle on Dixie Highway in Louisville, resulting in the death of a minor victim. It was also noted that Dewitt had controlled substances in his system at the time of the incident.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the FBI Louisville Field Office, along with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Bonar and Mac Shannon.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The program emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts by local organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes to ensure safer neighborhoods.
There is no parole available within the federal system for such cases.
