Mark Edwards, 18, of Washington D.C., was sentenced on Friday in Superior Court for his role in a carjacking that took place in May 2025 in Northeast Washington D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Edwards pleaded guilty on September 4, 2025, to one count of carjacking. At the sentencing hearing held on November 21, 2025, federal prosecutors sought a seven-year prison term followed by three years of supervised release. "The United States requested a sentence of seven years of incarceration, the top of his sentencing guidelines, to be followed by three years of supervised release," according to the press release.
However, Judge Judith Pipe sentenced Edwards to 84 months in prison but suspended all but time already served and ordered one year of supervised probation. The sentence was issued under the Youth Rehabilitation Act over objections from the government. This act allows for sentences below the mandatory minimum for certain offenses if rehabilitation is deemed possible. Edwards had been detained since August 6, serving about 108 days before sentencing. He will not serve additional jail time if he completes his probation successfully.
According to court documents, on May 28, Edwards and another suspect approached a double-parked vehicle and instructed the driver to get out while implying they had a weapon before stealing the car. Both were apprehended later in Maryland after a police pursuit.
Edwards also faced charges related to an attempted carjacking on May 22, resolved as part of his plea deal. In that incident, two suspects demanded keys from a driver and stole his cell phone before the victim escaped.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the outcome and commended investigators for their work.
