District Man Arrested in Armed Carjacking from January 2024 Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia Dateline: Washington, D.C. Date: 3 April 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime

Defendant Approached Victim from Behind With a Gun

            WASHINGTON – Marquis Derby, 19, of Washington, D.C., was arrested yesterday and charged by complaint with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On April 2, 2024, Magistrate Judge Eric Glover found probable cause for these offenses and ordered that Derby remain held pending a preliminary hearing on April 5, 2024.

            According to the arrest warrant, on January 12, 2024, Derby and an unidentified individual carjacked a construction worker at gunpoint when the victim, who was working on a job site in Northeast Washington, D.C., went to retrieve equipment from his truck. As the victim reached into his truck, Derby pressed a firearm into the victim’s back and took the victim’s phone out of his pocket. Derby then demanded that the victim unlock his phone. As he was doing so, a second, unidentified accomplice punched the victim several times in the face and took the victim’s keys. Derby took the victim’s phone and got into an SUV as the unidentified accomplice got into the victim’s truck. When the accomplice was unable to start the victim’s truck, he got into the SUV with Derby, and the two men drove off together.

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Taskforce.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Lawrence.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated April 3, 2024

Press Release Number: 24-287