An Oxon Hill, Maryland man received a seven-year prison sentence for a carjacking incident involving a delivery driver last year, confirmed U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, alongside Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department and Special Agent in Charge Anthony A. Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Dennis Vanison, age 31, had entered a guilty plea for one count of carjacking and another count of carrying a pistol without a license on August 13, 2024.
The incident took place on May 2, 2023, after a food delivery driver had completed a drop-off on the 2400 block of Wagner Street Southeast. According to details released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Vanison, directed his unidentified accomplice to steal from the victim's car. When the victim attempted to confront them, both men attacked the victim, and Vanison's accomplice produced a firearm, aimed at the victim, and forcibly took the car keys. The two then departed the scene in separate vehicles, Vanison’s own car and the victim's stolen car.
Vanison was apprehended the next day, on May 3, 2023, after D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department members found him in an SUV close to where the stolen vehicle was discovered idling in an alley. Inside the stolen vehicle, investigators found Vanison's cellphone and keychain, and a loaded pistol was recovered at Vanison’s feet in the SUV where he was detained. Judge Robert A. Salerno prescribed the sentence in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, which also includes three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Graves and the involved officials extended their gratitude towards the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their investigation efforts. They also recognized the U.S. Attorney’s Office team, specifically former Assistant U.S. Attorney Omeed A. Assefi, Investigative Analyst Stephen Jones, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Renee Prather, and Paralegal Specialist Marcella Trader. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Parron and Daniel Bromwich were also commended for their roles in investigating and prosecuting the case.
