St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking with a Sawed-Off Shotgun

St. Louis, MO – David Jones, 20, St. Louis, MO, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking.  Jones appeared today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie White, who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for August 14, 2019, at 10:30 a.m.

According to the plea agreement, on May 22, 2018, the victim and a friend were sitting in the victim’s 2008 Malibu in the 1300 block of Ferguson when Jones and two other individuals approached them and told them to get out of the car.  One pointed a short-barreled shotgun and another pointed a handgun at the victims.  The three robbers jumped in the car and drove off. 

An hour after the carjacking, members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spotted the stolen Malibu.  The Malibu drove in a reckless and dangerous manner before spinning out of control.  Jones exited the driver’s seat and, with two others, fled on foot.  The pursuing officers saw Jones discard a loaded sawed-off, short-barreled Springfield shotgun.  Jones was taken into custody after a foot chase and a struggle.

Jones faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case and Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling this case.