Armed Home Invader/Carjacker Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison

Armed Home Invader/Carjacker Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison

Armed Home Invader/Carjacker Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Northern District of Texas
29 January 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Four Convicted Coconspirators Are Awaiting Sentencing

DALLAS — A Dallas man who admitted to his role in an armed home invasion and carjacking conspiracy was sentenced today, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Michael Wafer, 26, was sentenced this afternoon by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to serve a total of 15 years in federal prison. Wafer pleaded guilty in May 2013 to an indictment charging one count each of conspiracy to commit carjacking; using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and carjacking.

Wafer’s four co-conspirators, Blake Robertson, 22; Jeremiah Walker, 22; Christopher Staton, 20; and Ladavid Sims, 20; have each pleaded guilty to the same offenses as Wafer and are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Boyle within the next few months. Statutorily, the conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison; the firearm offense carries a penalty of not less than seven and up to life in federal prison; and the carjacking offense carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Each count also carries a maximum statutory fine of $250,000.

On December 30, 2013, the five defendants discussed, planned, and agreed to rob an individual, “M.J.,” who was an acquaintance of Walker’s, at M.J.’s house in Dallas, and then steal his vehicle. Officers with the Dallas Police Department identified these five defendants as suspects in the armed home invasion and carjacking of M.J. during the early morning hours of December 31, 2013. Just prior to that, they had attempted another armed robbery in North Dallas, during which the victim was shot.

When the five conspirators entered M.J’s house, they were carrying firearms and were willing to inflict serious injury upon M.J. if he failed to comply with their demands. The conspirators demanded money and jewelry from M.J., at gunpoint, and M.J. was struck in the head several times with a weapon. The conspirators also took the keys to M.J.’s vehicle and all five conspirators fled in that vehicle.

The Dallas Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Miller is prosecuting.