Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
Three individuals in Mobile, Alabama received life sentences for their roles in a murder-for-hire scheme, while another was sentenced to 84 months for transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines during a carjacking attempt. The sentencing follows a detailed investigation and a federal jury trial held in October 2024.
According to evidence presented, John Fitzgerald McCarroll, Jr., Darrius Dwayne Rowser, and Lyteria Isheeia Hollis were involved in a plot to kill a person as revenge for an earlier murder. McCarroll arranged for shooters to attempt the execution, which resulted in failed nightclub shootings.
In September 2022, Reginald Dennis Alan Fluker fired in the Bank Nightlife club using a weapon from McCarroll, mistakenly killing the wrong person. Hollis managed payments related to this shooting. Fluker later confessed to the conspiracy and was sentenced to 30 years.
The saga continued with Rowser using an illegal weapon at the Paparazzi Lounge, missing the target but injuring four others, including one who was paralyzed. He reportedly boasted about the shootings on Instagram.
In a further escalation, Rowser, McCarroll, and others planned to steal cars for surveillance activities. During a carjacking attempt in D’Iberville, Mississippi, Rowser fatally shot a victim. The group's actions also involved burning a stolen vehicle post-event. Karmelo Cortez Morris Derks pled guilty to vehicle theft and received an 84-month sentence, facing additional charges in Mississippi.
In December 2022, a GPS tracker was procured at McCarroll's behest, during which Rowser and another conspirator fired weapons in a Walmart, harming two people. Jimaurice Pierce admitted to the conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
Evidence tampering attempts were made following arrests, with McCarroll instructing Hollis to hide a weapon, which federal agents later recovered. McCarroll also tried influencing Fluker’s court testimony with a false affidavit.
Hollis admitted to separate fraud charges, securing nearly $20,000 under false pretenses through PPP loans intended for pandemic-affected businesses.
At their sentencing, several victims addressed the court. Judge Terry F. Moorer emphasized their resilience in his remarks. He imposed life sentences on McCarroll, Rowser, and Hollis, as mandated by federal law, with Pierce facing a similar fate. The victims are set to receive over a million dollars in restitution, while Hollis must also compensate the SBA, and vehicle theft restitution is required from Rowser and Derks.
“These criminals used illegal machineguns to murder, maim, and endanger innocent lives in our community,” stated Sean P. Costello, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. Jason Stankiewicz from the ATF echoed the commitment to combat violent crime collectively with law enforcement partners.
The investigation involved major agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and local police departments, with successful prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s team.
