A 17-year-old carjacking defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on March 13.
Frederick Etheridge, 17, was originally charged with armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stemmed from Etheridge’s alleged involvement in an armed carjacking on the 2800 block of Erie Street, SE on Oct. 25, 2024, and an armed robbery on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE on Jan. 3, 2025.
Etheridge was charged under Title 16, which allows for juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.
Etheridge accepted an offer from prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a carjacking on Dec. 30 2024 on 2900 block of Erie Street, SE.
In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss any greater or remaining charges in this case and an unrelated assault case. In addition, prosecutors will not seek an indictment with additional charges related to the Oct. 25, 2024, Jan. 3, 2024, and two additional incidents.
The prosecution said if the case had proceeded to trial, their evidence would have proved that Etheridge, with another suspect, carjacked a white Kia Sorento on Dec. 30, 2024 with a firearm. Etheridge and the other suspect, patted the victim down and stole a satchel the victim was wearing.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 11.
