A judge sentenced Devonte Lynch, 20, to 18 months in prison on June 8 for his involvement in two 2023 carjackings.
DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced Lynch, who was 17 at the time of the offenses, under DC’s Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The YRA provides flexible sentencing and seals the records for offenders under age 25. Judge Di Toro said she sentenced Lynch under the YRA because of his demonstrated “capacity for rehabilitation” and the progress he made while incarcerated.
Lynch pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2024 to armed carjacking, robbery, and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in two carjackings. One carjacking occurred on the 900 block of Hilltop Place, SE on Nov. 12 2023 and the other on the 100 block of 12th Street, NE on Nov. 29 2023.
Both the prosecution and defense praised Lynch’s dedication to rehabilitation while detained. The prosecution said they were “thrilled” to see Lynch’s progress. Lynch’s attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, said he was a “changed man.”
The second carjacking was committed against an off-duty FBI agent. Given that the agent was armed and capable of defending herself, Sapirstein said it was “extraordinary” that this crime didn’t result in worse consequences for Lynch.
Lynch’s mother said she was “thankful” her son was arrested. She believed he was making dangerous life choices and incarceration “probably saved his life.”
The prosecution initially recommended sentencing Lynch to 15 years in prison for the two carjackings and an additional five for robbery. Prosecutors opposed the YRA, alleging Lynch failed to take full responsibility for his crime by continually dumping responsibility on his co-conspirator. They argued “the kind of judgment reflected in both of these cases needs to be held accountable.”
The prosecution read the impact statement of the victim of the first carjacking. Referencing Lynch and the other suspect involved in the carjacking, the victim said “those two men ruined my life.”
When Judge Di Toro asked Lynch what he planned to after prison, he said he wanted to show his community he had grown, help the youth stay on the right path, change the public perceptions of Black people, and “be there for my daughter.”
Judge Di Toro responded, “I believe you, completely.”
Lynch’s mother and one-year-old daughter attended the hearing.
Judge Di Toro noted that Lynch has certain mental processing “challenges” and a speech impediment. Lynch’s other attorney Rebecca Desta said if he had received adequate special education as a kid, “He would have never stepped in this courtroom.”
In a letter addressed to Judge Di Toro, Lynch explained that his father was not present when he was growing up, so he took care of his mother and sister. When his girlfriend became pregnant, he said he “didn’t want [his] daughter to go through the same things [he] had to go through without a father.”
With his daughter as motivation, Lynch pursued rehabiliation through prison programs, specifically the Young Men Emerging Program (YME). He said YME has equipped him with the skills to succeed when he returns to his community.
Lynch concluded, “I can’t take back the things that I did because they already happened. I want to come home with a purpose. I hope the court can give me a second chance in my life and my daughter’s life.”
Judge Di Toro ultimately decided that the YRA was “appropriate” because of Lynch’s age, lack of previous criminal history, demonstrated participation in rehabiliation programs, close family ties, and his emerging sense of personal responsibility.
Lynch was sentenced to 72 months in prison with all but 18 suspended for carjacking, 18 months for robbery and 18 months for carrying a pistol without a liscense. All sentences will run concurrently, followed by 18 months of probation.
After prison, Lynch must register as a gun offender in DC, participate in a drug treatment program, and complete 90 hours of community service. He will participate in a VOTEE (Vocational Opportunities for Training, Education, and Employment) program to fulfill his terms of probation.
No further dates were set.
