Reagan T. Fondren Acting United States Attorney for the Western District Of Tennessee | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee
A Mississippi man was sentenced on Mar. 17 to nine years in prison for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the incident, according to an announcement from the Department of Justice.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to address violent crime in Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. The case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative, which aims to prosecute violent crimes through partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Court documents show that Un’Darius Dickerson, 24, of Jackson, Mississippi, used a firearm to take a victim’s vehicle by force. On Nov. 19, 2024, Dickerson wore a ski mask as he approached the victim, pointed a rifle at her face, and demanded her car keys by saying: “You know what this is. Give me those keys.” After receiving the keys from the victim, Dickerson drove away in her vehicle.
Dickerson was arrested one day later by Southaven Police Officers while still driving the stolen car after attempting to flee from a traffic stop. During an interview with law enforcement following his arrest, Dickerson admitted to “robbing” the victim and helped officers recover the firearm used in the crime.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Memphis Police Department investigated the case. Trial Attorney Marcus Johnson and former Trial Attorney Shriram Harid of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Musselwhite prosecuted it.
The initiative under which this case was prosecuted focuses on confronting violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources.
