Gianni Saunders Sentenced for Armed Carjacking in D.C.

Gianni Saunders, a 21-year-old from Washington, D.C., was slammed with a 10-year prison sentence this week for his brazen armed carjacking. The sentence came down on July 2, 2024, at the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, where Honorable Errol Arthur presided over the sentencing.

Saunders had been caught red-handed on May 24, 2023, when he robbed a handyman at gunpoint as the victim was exiting his car to make repairs. But that’s not all—the court also sentenced him to five years of supervised release following his prison term.

The Youth Rehabilitation Act provided a glimmer of hope for Saunders over the government’s objections, allowing the judge to sidestep the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for armed carjacking. Yet, the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim did not go unnoticed by the justice system.

According to the prosecution, Saunders used a gun with an extended magazine in his attack, driving off in the victim’s black Honda Civic. A high-speed chase followed when Maryland police attempted to stop the stolen car, leading to a fiery crash involving five other vehicles on Oxon Hill Road. The defendant was arrested at the scene, and a firearm with his DNA was recovered from the stolen vehicle.

U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force, alongside assistance from the Forest Heights Police Department, for their role in the investigation and capture of Saunders. The prosecution team, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Gimenez and Iris McCranie, were also commended for their efforts.

The court’s sentence sends a clear message about the consequences of armed carjacking, a violent crime that terrorizes communities. As the dust settles on this case, it underscores the dedication of law enforcement to keep our streets safe.