DC Teen Escapes Prison in Carjacking Spree

⏱ 3 min read

Derrick West, 18, walked free from a DC courtroom after being sentenced to a fully suspended jail term for a September 2024 wave of carjackings and robberies. West and his crew terrorized city streets, strong-arming victims out of their vehicles and belongings. Despite prosecutors pushing for a lengthy 12-year stretch, Judge Jennifer DiToro opted for 48 months of probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

The crime spree kicked off September 19th on 48th Place NE, where West, along with co-defendant Antonio Gaither and two others, pulled alongside a woman parking her car. Two jumped out, one brandishing a firearm, and forced her out before speeding off in her vehicle. The next night, in the 800 block of P Street NW, they targeted another victim, yanking him from his unlocked car and even assaulting him during the theft.

Prosecutors weren’t happy, arguing West deserved the maximum sentence—a total of 17 years considering mandatory minimums for carjacking (7 years) and firearm possession during a violent crime (5 years). They pointed to the brazen nature of the crimes and the fear instilled in the victims. But the judge sided with the defense, citing the Youth Rehabilitation Act, designed to offer leniency for young offenders.

West pleaded guilty August 29, 2025, to one count each of armed carjacking and firearm possession during a crime of violence, plus two counts of robbery. While West avoids prison, Gaither and the other suspects remain subjects of ongoing investigations, according to sources. The lenient sentence is sure to fuel the debate over how DC handles violent juvenile offenders.