18-Year-Old Carjacking Defendant Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced a carjacking defendant to 72 months of incarceration at a hearing on April 11. 

Austin Marion, 18, and Jacorri Stroman, 19, are charged with two counts of unarmed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two cars were stolen during the incident on July 1 on the 1100 block of Independence Avenue, SE. On Dec. 17, 2024, Stroman and Marion pleaded guilty to carjacking. Stroman was sentenced to 72 months under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), followed by three years of supervised release. 

Marion’s lawyer, Russell Hairston, asserted that Marion had accepted responsibility for the crime early on. Hairston asked Judge Park for a sentencing that included an intervention plan so Marion could finish his education. Hairston also asked that Marion be sentenced under the YRA, meaning that if he serves his term successfully his record will be sealed.

The prosecution disagreed, asking Judge Park not to sentence Marion under the YRA because Marion and Stroman had committed this crime in broad daylight at a busy intersection. 

The prosecution played a video showing one victim fleeing for his life, driving away so fast he fell off his motor vehicle and onto the street. The prosecution asked for the mandatory minimum 84 months of incarceration and five months of supervised release. 

Judge Park acknowledged Marion’s lack of criminal history but stated that this offense could have had much more serious impacts. The fact that it was committed at a busy intersection could have resulted in the victim being hit by a car while fleeing and possibly dying. 

Judge Park sentenced Marion to 72 months of incarceration under the YRA, three years of supervised release, and 90 hours of community service. 

No further dates have been set for this matter.