Maryland Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Armed Carjacking of Taxicab Driver

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia
March 19, 2010

WASHINGTON—Norman B. Williams, a 30-year-old Maryland man, was sentenced by Judge Russell F. Canan of the Superior Court of Washington, D.C. to 22 years in prison for a January 2009 armed carjacking and robbery, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today. Williams was found guilty in December 2009 of armed carjacking, armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The government's evidence at trial established that on January 24, 2009, the victim, a cabdriver, picked up the defendant and the defendant's girlfriend near the Greenbelt Metro station. The defendant instructed the victim to drive them to Washington, D.C., and then to the unit block of Crittenden Street, NE, at which time the defendant's girlfriend got out of the taxi cab and made a cell phone call. After his girlfriend got out of the car, the defendant produced a silver handgun and pointed it at the back of the victim's head. The defendant then demanded the victim's money and told him to get out of the car. The victim gave the defendant approximately $300 before getting out of the cab. The defendant then climbed over the seat and into the driver's seat and told his girlfriend to get into the car. After the defendant's girlfriend got back into the cab, the defendant drove away from the scene.

Later that same evening, the victim's cab was recovered a few blocks away in the 400 block of Crittenden Street, NW, where the defendant had abandoned it. After the vehicle was returned to the victim, the victim discovered assorted papers in the back seat of cab, including Social Security Administration and other documents bearing the defendant's name. During the investigation, police recovered from the defendant's father's home the jacket the defendant wore during the carjacking and a photo of the defendant holding the silver handgun he used during the carjacking.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the outstanding work of Metropolitan Police Department Detectives Brian Devine, James “J.V” Francis, and Joseph Radvansky. Additionally, he praised the work of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, including Special Agents Richard Davis and John Dunham. Finally, Mr. Machen praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Kent and Magdalena Acevedo, who investigated, indicted, and prosecuted the case.