A young carjacker pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 5.
Aniq-Kai Covington, 17, was originally charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property $1000 or more, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business and possession of an unregistered firearm. The charges stem from his involvement in a carjacking and robbery that occurred on Aug. 13, 2024 on the 2700 block of 31st Street, SE.
Covington accepted a deal, pleading guilty to carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for all other charges being dropped. The prosecution also agreed not to pursue additional charges in this case.
Covington is facing a maximum sentence of 21 years for carjacking and 15 years for the possession charge. These charges typically have a mandatory minimum of seven and five years respectively, but since he is a juvenile, the minimum is not mandatory.
However, Judge Salerno still has discretion to determine what he believes is the appropriate sentence.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 10.
