DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced a young armed carjacking defendant to a term below mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison on March 13.
Eric Woods, 18, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2025 to armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a carjacking that occurred at the intersection of Hanover Place and North Capitol Streets, NW on Oct. 11, 2024.
Woods was charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.
As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to pursue charges against Woods for ten other incidents.
Judge Salerno sentenced Woods to 10 years of imprisonment and five years supervised release for armed carjacking and five years in prison and three years supervised release for possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrently and Woods must register as a gun offender in DC upon his release.
The prosecution asked for 15 years of imprisonment for armed carjacking and seven years for possession of a firearm, to run concurrently. They said their request factored in the severity of the carjacking, because the firearm was an AR style rifle and the victim was a random individual. Woods also ran from the police during the incident, emphasized prosecutors.
Prosecutors argued against the use of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows a defendant, younger than 25 years-old at the time of the offense, to have their record sealed following a successful completion of their term and gives the judge sentencing flexibility.
Woods’ attorney, Gregg Baron, argued for a sentence of seven-and-a-half years in prison for armed carjacking and three years for possession of a firearm, to run concurrently. Baron argued strongly for the YRA, saying that Woods’ brain was not fully developed when he committed the offense. A short prison sentence would allow Woods’ to mature, argued Baron.
Baron stated that Woods’ pursued his high school studies while incarcerated, and has been in complete compliance with the rules at the Youth Services Center (YSC) at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).
Woods’ apologized to the victim and explained his behavior was due to his upbringing. He stated he did not have a stable family and was not a “man” when he committed the carjacking.
“All I knew was the streets,” Woods stated.
“I know what kind of person I want to be.” Woods finished his statement, “I know I can do better.”
Judge Salerno stated that a lengthy period of imprisonment is needed for Woods because carjacking’s were a “regularity” for Woods.
Ultimately Judge Salerno did not sentence Woods under the YRA due to Woods’ extensive criminal history and a warrant for his arrest in Maryland. Judge Salerno also noted the firearm used in the incident was an AR military style rifle, holding up a photo of the firearm to show the court.
Judge Salerno sentenced Woods under a separate code that allows for a defendant who committed an offense when they were under 18-years-old to be sentenced under the mandatory minimum. In DC, the mandatory minimum for armed carjacking for adults is 15 years imprisonment.
No further dates were set.
