Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Carjacking Using ‘Ghost Gun’ on College Campus

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mark Jordan Williams, 37, was sentenced to seven years in prison for a firearms offense after using a ‘ghost gun’ to carjack a vehicle on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

Williams was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the completion of his prison term. The sentencing comes after Williams pleaded guilty on January 9, 2025, to possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to court documents and court proceedings, on March 23, 2023, an individual identified as L.C. was sitting in a Jeep Wrangler, parked on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Court records show that Williams approached the vehicle, pointed a .40 caliber Polymer 80 handgun at L.C. and ordered L.C. out of the car. Williams then took L.C.’s phone, got into the Jeep, and drove away.

Williams was located and arrested later that evening while inside the Jeep. When Williams was arrested, the .40 caliber Polymer 80 handgun was recovered from inside the vehicle as well. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Williams has multiple prior criminal convictions and he prohibited from possessing a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced the sentencing, joined by Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division. The ATF investigated the case, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handling the prosecution.

Williams is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of using firearms in the commission of crimes, particularly on college campuses where students and faculty should feel safe.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Washington, Deceitful Scheme, Maryland 2024

Jul 1, 2012

Violent Crime

Colorado Crime Chaos, Colorado, 1965

Jul 1, 1965

Violent Crime

Kearse Sentenced for Violent Crime, Maryland 2014

Mar 13, 2014

Violent Crime

Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Money Laundering, Racketeering, Texas 2024

Jul 1, 2015