DC Superior Court Carmen McLean sentenced Elias Robertson, 30, to seven years in prison for unarmed carjacking following an emotional proceeding on July 11.
Robertson pleaded guilty in May to unarmed carjacking for his role in a Feb. 25, 2024, incident on the 1000 block of F Street NE. He and a co-defendant, Eligah Hughes, threatened a woman with a knife while she was parking outside her home, chasing her away, and driving away in her rental car.
During the hearing, the prosecution read an impact statement from the victim, who described how the event altered her daily life.
“This incident changed the way I live,” she wrote. “I started searching for housing with 24/7 security… I cross the street when I see strangers.”
Though she emphasized the emotional toll the crime still has on her, the letter ended on a note of compassion.
“I understand people commit acts like this under difficult circumstances… I hope he receives the help he needs. I do not hold on to anger, but I believe accountability is important.”
The prosecution recommended 84 months of incarceration, the statutory minimum agreed upon in the plea deal.
Robertson’s defense attorney, Joseph McCoy, acknowledged the minimum required sentence for Robertson’s plea, but spoke about the life circumstances that led his client to this point.
“Mr. Robertson has faced unimaginable battles and pain throughout his life,” McCoy said, describing how his client was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age. The chronic autoimmune nerve condition causes fatigue, pain, vision loss, and motor dysfunction, severely impacting daily life.
Partially to cope with these challenges, Robertson developed a serious drug addiction, unable to recover despite support from his family and attempted inpatient treatment seven times.
McCoy thanked the victim for her empathy and criticized DC law for imposing harsh mandatory minimums that leave no room for nuance.
“I don’t understand how the victim of a crime can show more compassion than the DC Council, which sets these sentences,” McCoy said.
Ending his statement with visible emotion, McCoy told the court, “What we receive here today will not be justice. He will be punished, but it will not be justice… If Mr. Robertson ever needs my help again, I will be there for him.”
Judge McLean imposed the 84-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, noting that she had no choice in the matter. Robertson’s family was in attendance for the sentencing.
McClean ended the hearing by telling Robertson that “this does not have to define you.”
No further dates were set.
