Erick Alvarenga, 19, and Malik Kearney, 20, both residents of Washington D.C., have pleaded guilty to charges related to two carjackings that occurred in December 2024 and January 2025. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The defendants entered their guilty pleas in D.C. Superior Court to two counts each of carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Judge Andrea Hertzfeld has scheduled their sentencing for August 29, 2025.
According to court documents, the first incident took place on December 28, 2024. At approximately 4:45 a.m., the first victim was seated in a Jeep SUV parked on Eastern Avenue when approached by Alvarenga and Kearney. One defendant brandished a black handgun and demanded the victim exit the vehicle and hand over the keys. Complying with these demands, the victim left the vehicle which was then driven away by the defendants.
A second carjacking followed on January 3, 2025. This time around 3:00 p.m., at a gas station located on Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Northeast. As this second victim finished refueling his Dodge sedan, Alvarenga used the previously stolen Jeep to block his vehicle's path while Kearney approached with a handgun demanding he exit his car. Once again complying with orders under duress, Kearney commandeered the Dodge as both vehicles fled together.
Later that evening around 9:00 p.m., authorities arrested Alvarenga and Kearney after spotting them driving the stolen Dodge on an interstate before it stopped along Eastern Avenue. Attempting escape into a nearby home’s basement proved futile as police apprehended them there recovering two firearms—one lacking serial numbers; another identified as PMF ghost gun—from where they were detained.
The Metropolitan Police Department is leading this investigation while Assistant United States Attorneys Randle Wilson alongside Amanda Hoover are prosecuting this case.
