St. Louis Man County Man Admits 2022 Carjacking Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri Byline: Robert Patrick Dateline: St. Louis, Missouri Date: 5 January 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime Topic: Nissan Sentra

ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County, Missouri on Friday admitted committing an armed carjacking in 2022. 

La’Vontray Hayes-Williams, 20, of Jennings, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Hayes-Williams admitted stealing a 2018 Nissan Sentra on July 7, 2022, outside a Family Dollar store at 6440 West Florissant Avenue in Jennings. Hayes-Williams pulled out his Glock handgun and repeatedly ordered the driver to “give me the car.” He then sped away in the stolen car with his girlfriend. The victim called police, who quickly spotted the vehicle. Hayes-Williams fled, sparking a chase that lasted nearly ten miles and reached speeds of over 100 mph. Hayes-Williams was caught after the car stopped and he fled on foot, his plea agreement says.

Hayes-Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4. The carjacking charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The firearm brandishing charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, consecutive to all other charges, and a maximum of life in prison.

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj is prosecuting the case.

Robert Patrick, Public Affairs Officer, robert.patrick@usdoj.gov.

Updated July 19, 2024