DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a teen carjacking defendant to 18 months of probation with special conditions on April 24.
Antonio Gaither, 17, pleaded guilty on Aug. 29, 2025 to unarmed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery for his involvement in an incident that occurred on Sept. 20, 2024 on the 800 block of P Street, NW.
Gaither was charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.
At sentencing, the prosecution argued that Gaither, even though he had no prior experience with the criminal justice system, should serve seven years in prison for carjacking, five years for possession, and five years for each robbery charge, all concurrently. They said the incident traumatized the victims and the community.
Two victim statements were read by the prosecutor, one victim forgave Gaither for what he did, but the other victim was so frightened the person may not be able to return back to DC.
Quiana Harris, Gaither’s attorney, argued for the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed with successful completion of requirements and potentially offers sentencing flexibility.
Harris said the YRA would allow Gaither to grow up without having his whole life tarnished by the incident because he was 15 when he started committing crimes. She stated that Gaither would be able to be on probation, graduate from high school, apply to colleges, and receive therapy.
Harris stated that prison was not a place for Gaither to become a man. At the Youth Service Center (YSC), for juvenile detainees, Gaither received the highest grades in all of his classes and received recognition, showing a picture of Gaither smiling in front of all of his more than 30 certificates. “[Gaither] is not shy about how smart he is,” said Harris. Harris mentioned that Gaither has the skills to be a leader, doctor, teacher, lawyer, or any profession he desires.
After hearing both parties’ arguments, Judge Di Toro allowed Gaither to addres the court. Gaither apologized for his mistakes that affected the victims, the community, and his family.
He wants to get beyond the indictment.
“I don’t want to be judged by a piece of paper,” said Gaither as he has b een working on himself to get better. He mentioned that he has earned A’s and B’s in all of his classes, referencing his certificates.
Judge Di Toro said that Gaither will be sentenced under YRA because of his age, having no prior interaction with the criminal justice system, and how well he has done at YSC.
She told Gaither that she wanted him to understand that if he got sentenced to the mandatory minimum of his crime, he would not be released from prison until he was 30, taking away his time with his family.
Judge Di Toro, sentenced Gaither to four years imprisonment for carjacking, four years for possession, and two years for each robbery charge. All time suspended, in favor of 18 months of probation, asking Gaither to refrain from using drugs and alcohol, specifically THC. She also ordered that Gaither would do 90 hours of community service to give back to the community on his probation.
If Gaither fails to complete the requirements of his probation, Judge Di Toro can require he serve the prison time.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 17 for a probation review hearing.
