St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Two Armed Carjackings

St. Louis, MO –Malachiah Williams, 22, of St. Louis, MO, pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm.  Williams appeared today before U.S. District Judge Richard Webber who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for July 30, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, on July 25, 2018, Williams, armed with a semi-automatic firearm, approached a man in his vehicle parked in front of a residence in the 5500 block of Cote Brilliante.  Williams tapped on the driver’s side door with the firearm and ordered the victim out of the vehicle.  After the victim exited, Williams entered the vehicle and drove away.

On July 31, 2018, a mother and her four-year-old daughter were sitting inside a vehicle near the 5400 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.  Williams approached their vehicle and stuck his head into the passenger side window.  He pointed a semi-automatic firearm at the mother and child while ordering them out of the vehicle.  Williams then entered the vehicle and drove away.

If convicted, carjacking carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 on each count.  The firearms charges carry penalties of not less than seven years nor more than life and/or fine of $250,000 on each count consecutive to any other sentence imposed.    In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.  The United States and Williams intend to recommend a sentence of 15 years imprisonment at the time of sentencing.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan.