Reagan T. Fondren Acting United States Attorney for the Western District Of Tennessee | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee
A Memphis man has been sentenced to more than 18 years in federal prison for a carjacking that resulted in serious injury and the use of a firearm. The sentence also includes five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 16, 2024, Jaylen Simpson, 23, shot a 60-year-old man in the stomach as the victim stepped outside his home to mow his lawn. Simpson had been hiding in the backyard before confronting the victim. After shooting him, Simpson stole the man's car keys and drove away in his vehicle.
Home surveillance footage captured Simpson entering the victim’s vehicle with a black handgun after committing the shooting. Memphis Police pursued Simpson for nearly three hours by car and on foot before apprehending him. At the time of arrest, officers found a loaded Walther Creed 9mm pistol in Simpson's backpack; this firearm had been reported stolen days earlier. In an interview with law enforcement later that day, Simpson admitted to waiting outside the victim’s home, firing the weapon, and stealing the car.
The victim was hospitalized for four weeks and required multiple surgeries due to his injuries.
Simpson pleaded guilty before trial to charges of carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury and discharging a firearm during the crime.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated: “This was a calculated and brutal act of violence against an unsuspecting man in his own front yard in broad daylight. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their swift response and commitment to public safety. The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively prosecute armed offenders who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division said: “The premeditated and horrendous acts of violence that this individual committed demonstrates a blatant disregard for human life. The ATF along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, remains committed to combatting violent crime and swiftly bringing these individuals to justice before they commit other senseless acts of violence.”
The case was investigated by ATF and Memphis Police Department Violent Crime Unit. Trial Attorney Ashleigh Atasoy from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) worked with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee on this matter.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods efforts aimed at reducing violent crime in Memphis and surrounding areas.
