A Seattle man has entered a guilty plea in federal court for carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, as first reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Louis Montel De’Andre Dowers, 32, could spend anywhere from a mandatory minimum of five years to a possible life sentence behind bars for his actions, which took place near Lumen Field in June 2024.
The victim was parked outside the Seattle Team Shop on Occidental Avenue South, waiting for his spouse, when Dowers made a threatening approach, brandishing a distinctive weapon. As per details shared by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dowers demanded the driver vacate the vehicle, stating, "It’s mine now. Get out." Fortunately, the owner managed to remove his dog from the car before Dowers drove away, narrowly missing the owner’s wife as she exited a nearby store.
In the wake of the incident, police were able to locate the stolen BMW in Auburn, Washington, not far from a local middle school. Based on a description of the assailant, Dowers was apprehended by a King County Sheriff's deputy and found in possession of a privately manufactured semi-automatic 'ghost gun,' which was loaded and ready to fire. Dowers admitted in his plea agreement to using the firearm during the carjacking.
Carjacking charges can lead to up to 15 years in prison, while using a firearm during a crime of violence adds a mandatory minimum of five years and could extend to a life term. Prosecutors have proposed a recommendation for no more than seven years, while the defense is pushing for no less than five years plus a day. It now falls to U.S. District Judge John H. Chun who can issue any lawful sentence after reviewing sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors on the scheduled date, August 4, 2025.
This case falls under the purview of the dedicated federal carjacking task force, which includes Seattle and Kent Police Departments, alongside ATF and FBI agents. The efforts culminated in a conviction thanks to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg, who is at the helm of the Carjacking Task Force for the Western District of Washington.
