Two Armed Carjackers Sentenced to Over 8 Years in Prison

Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentencings of two Memphis men for a 2024 carjacking.    

According to information presented in court, on September 2, 2024, Martez Banks, 32, and Marcus Pledge, 37, followed an Acura to an apartment complex after an alleged minor car accident.  When the driver of the Acura stopped, Banks and Pledge forced the driver out of the vehicle at gunpoint.  After patting down the victim, one of them struck the victim in the head with a firearm. Banks and Pledge then drove off in the Acura and their vehicle.  Officers from the Memphis Police Department caught Banks in the Acura two days later.  Pledge was arrested by members of the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit shortly thereafter.

Both Banks and Pledge were indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024 on charges of carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  This case was assigned to Chief District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman of the Western District of Tennessee.  

On March 5, 2025, Banks pled guilty as charged and was sentenced on June 20, 2025 to 105 months in federal prison for his offenses.  Pledge pled guilty as charged on August 12, 2025 and was sentenced to 105 months in federal prison on November 20, 2025.  

There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Armed carjacking is a cowardly act involving short-sighted gain with long term consequences for both victims and offenders. When violent criminals act impulsively, we will respond deliberately with the full weight and force of federal sanctions to suppress, punish, and incapacitate."

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. 

Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.