Carjacking co-defendants pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld during a hearing on June 23.
Malik Kearney, 20, and Erick Alvarenga, 19, were originally charged with first-degree burglary while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawfully discarding a firearm or ammunition. Kearney was additionally charged with armed carjacking. The charges stem from their involvement in two separate carjacking incidents, one on Dec. 28, 2024 on the 6100 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. The second incident occurred on Jan 3. at an Exxon gas station on the 4200 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, on Jan. 3, the victim was at the gas station in his red Dodge Challenger when Kearney and Alvarenga arrived at the gas station in a red Jeep Cherokee. The victim reportedly said the Jeep blocked his car, Kearney then exited the Jeep, aimed his gun towards the victim, and ordered him to exit his vehicle. Kearney then entered the vehicle and both cars fled the scene.
Prosecutors said the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) later identified the red Jeep the defendants drove on Jan. 3 as the same vehicle previously stolen during another carjacking on Dec. 28.
Prosecutors also said during the investigation MPD found phone messages between Kearney and Alvarenga that detailed their carjacking plans.
Carrie Weletz, Kearney’s defense attorney, also acted as stand-in defense for Alvarenga during the hearing. Weletz informed Judge Hertzfeld that Alvarenga and Kearney accepted a plea deal extended by the prosecution.
Alvarenga and Kearney each pleaded guilty to two counts of unarmed carjacking and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed any greater and remaining charges.
Prosecutors informed Alvarenga and Kearney the charges carried a maximum sentence of 21 years of incarceration.
Judge Hertzfeld accepted Kearney and Alvarenga’s guilty pleas.
Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Aug. 29.
