In a D.C. Superior Court courtroom, seven out of the ten teenagers accused of engaging in a series of armed carjackings appeared clad in orange jail jumpsuits. The solemn proceedings unfolded as a judge issued an order for them to be held in custody, following their indictment by a grand jury on charges associated with two distinct carjacking rings operating in D.C. and Maryland.
The arraignment marked a significant legal step for the teens – Jaelen Jordan, Warren Montgomery, Byron Gillum, Isaiah Flowers, Jahkai Goff, Taj Giles, and Irshaad Ellis-Bey – who now face several charges individually linked to three carjackings earlier this year. Court documents meticulously outlined the carjacking incidents that transpired between February and May, revealing instances where some of the teenagers allegedly emerged from cars wearing masks and gloves, brandishing weapons to forcibly take control of vehicles and other belongings.
After successfully stealing the cars, prosecutors asserted that the teens would stash the stolen vehicles in a garage on Florida Avenue, subsequently attempting to sell them using a mobile payment service. This modus operandi became a focal point in the legal proceedings, emphasizing the organized and systematic nature of their criminal activities.
During the arraignment, defense lawyers for several teenagers advocated for their release to family custody as the case unfolded. However, prosecutors vehemently opposed such leniency, citing concerns about the teens’ perceived glorification of their criminal actions. Assistant U.S. Attorney for D.C., Emily Kubo, raised a particularly alarming point, stating, “What’s most concerning, your honor, is this personification by the group of what they were doing was GTA IRL.” According to Kubo, “GTA IRL” translates to Grand Theft Auto in real life, drawing a parallel between the teens’ actions and the infamous video game where carjackings serve as a means of acquiring vehicles.
Despite the defense’s plea for release, the judge sided with the prosecution, emphasizing that the nature of the crimes warranted the teenagers’ incarceration until their next court hearing. The charges arrayed against the group encompass armed carjacking, armed robbery, and conspiracy, underscoring the gravity of their alleged offenses. The proceedings concluded with a scheduled return to court for the teens in January.
Meanwhile, the remaining three teenagers – Cedae Hardy, Landrell Jordan III, and Malik Norman – face federal charges and are currently awaiting arraignment in D.C. District Court, further entangling the legal complexities of the overarching case.