An 18-year-old from Washington, D.C., will face less than four months behind bars for a carjacking incident, despite federal prosecutors’ calls for a much harsher seven-year sentence.
Mark Edwards was sentenced in Superior Court on Friday after admitting guilt to a single carjacking charge stemming from an incident on May 28. Edwards, alongside a 14-year-old partner, commandeered a car that was double-parked, suggesting to the driver that they possessed a weapon, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The pair was later caught in Maryland after a police pursuit.
Judge Judith Pipe, appointed by former President Joe Biden, handed Edwards a sentence of 84 months, which was suspended except for the time he had already served. Additionally, he was given one year of supervised probation. The sentence was issued under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which allows for reduced sentences below mandatory minimums, a decision that was made despite prosecutors’ objections.
The prosecution had pushed for a full seven-year imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, a stance strongly criticized by Pirro.
Prosecutors had sought a full seven-year prison term followed by three years of supervised release and the decision was blasted by Pirro.
“We sought seven years jail time, the top of the sentencing guidelines,” Pirro told Fox News Digital via a statement. “A DC judge refused and instead released a dangerous offender who now walks free. DC won’t be safe until judges finally start putting public safety first and we get rid of the Youth Rehabilitation Act.”
Edwards had been in custody since Aug. 6 and served roughly 108 days. He will not have to serve the remainder of the suspended sentence if he successfully completes probation, prosecutors said.
Edwards took a plea deal after he was also charged with an attempted carjacking days earlier. In that case, Edwards and another suspect approached a double-parked car, demanded the driver’s keys and stole his cellphone, prosecutors said. The driver managed to get back into his car and escape the scene, according to the Justice Department.
Judge Judith Pipe testifies during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 21, 2025. (Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)
Pirro and D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith commended the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers who investigated both incidents.
Teen carjackings have remained a concern in the nation’s capital, though overall numbers are falling.
There have been 238 carjackings so far this year, resulting in 135 arrests, according to MPD data.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro speaks during a news conference on crime. (Eric Lee/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
More than half of those arrested, around 53%, were juveniles.
Carjackings are down about 49% year-to-date compared with the same period in 2024, according to the data.
