The testimony of experts who collected evidence and photographed several vehicles involved in a carjacking case was heard before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Nov. 5.
Irshaad Ellis-Bey, 20, Isaiah Flowers, 20, Taj Giles, 20, Bryon Gillum, 20, Jahkai Goff, 21, Jaelen Jordan, 20, and Warren Montgomery, 20, are charged with conspiracy, trafficking stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery while armed. These charges stem from the group’s alleged involvement in a series of armed carjackings and the subsequent distribution of the stolen vehicles between February and May of 2023.
One of the carjackings occurred on Feb. 27, 2023 at the intersection of 20th Street and Sunderland Place, NW. Another carjacking took place at the intersection of K and 8th Street, NE, on April 27, 2023.
Additionally, Ellis-Bey, Flowers, Giles, Gillum, Goff, and Jordan are charged with two additional counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, receiving stolen property of $1000 or more, and robbery of a senior citizen while armed. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 600 block of Butternut Street, NW, on May 16, 2023.
A BMW x6 and a 2013 Porsche Cayenne SUV were the main subjects of questioning for the witnesses.
Prosecutors called an analyst from the Department of Forensic Science (DFS), who testified that she processed the BMV x6 for DNA recovery on April 27, 2025. The vehicle was located on the 2800 block of New York Avenue, NE. According to the witness, she was advised that the vehicle was involved in a carjacking and that there were at least two possible occupants.
Given that information, the witness said she collected photographs that were mainly from the driver and front passenger sides of the vehicle.
Additionally, the forensic scientist testified that she collected mouth swabs from Jordan on Nov. 8, 2023. The witness did not explain why she collected it from Jordan, specifically, or what the results showed.
Prosecutors called in a trooper with the Virginia State Police to testify. The officer testified that he recovered the 2013 Porsche Cayenne after engaging in a high speed pursuit when it drove through a highway camera that alerted it as stolen to the dispatcher.
The dashcam footage from the chase was entered into evidence and the witness stated that the vehicle can be seen driving at speeds upwards of 120 mph. An individual that is not one of the seven defendants was arrested after being stopped by a spike strip.
A crime scene scientist with DFS was called in by prosecutors to testify. He testified to being called to a tow lot to collect evidence from the Porsche SUV recovered after the chase. He stated that he collected photographs, swabbed for DNA, and powdered for fingerprints on the wheel and interior handles of the car.
Upon cross examination, the witness was questioned why he did not collect any items from the car or look for evidence in other areas. He stated that he received instruction from the detective on scene that the items in the car belonged to the owner of the vehicle and thus were not likely to have much probative value.
A special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) testified that he also photographed the Porsche SUV.
Brian McDaniel, Jordan’s attorney asked the agent if he was present when law enforcement first came in contact with the vehicle. The agent testified that he was not present.
McDaniel then asked the agent if he was aware of any items that may have been removed from the vehicle before he photographed it. The agent testified that there was indication that items had been removed prior to his investigation of the vehicle – he was unsure what the items included.
Additional testimony was provided by a patrol officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He explained that he was called to the unit block of K Street, NE, on April 27, 2023, for an armed carjacking.
Once he arrived on scene, the officer testified that he gathered information, from the complaining witness, as to what happened and who was involved. The officer’s body camera footage showed the victim asking the officer and his partner to borrow a cell phone to call his wife.
Upon cross-examination, Daniel Dorsey, Gillum’s attorney, asked the officer, “did the victim tell you that one of the suspects was wearing a white shirt with the letters NIKE on it?” The officer testified that the victim did not.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov 6.
