A federal jury in New Orleans found 30-year-old Jovante Matthews guilty of armed carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an incident on April 3, 2024, on Hollygrove Street. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Matthews was also classified as an "Armed Career Criminal" based on previous violent crime convictions, which could lead to an increased sentence under federal law.
Matthews approached two contractors and used a semi-automatic handgun to take a wallet and keys from one of them. He stole a Ford F-350 work truck. Surveillance video did not capture the carjacking but showed Matthews wearing distinctive clothing before the incident. Police later spotted the stolen truck and, after a short chase and crash, arrested Matthews. He was found in the truck wearing the victim’s jacket and had the stolen wallet and a firearm, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Matthews previously pleaded guilty to armed carjackings and an armed robbery in May 2022 and was sentenced to 5 years. He was arrested again before completing that sentence. He now faces up to 15 years for a new carjacking charge, with a mandatory additional sentence of at least 7 years and possibly life for a firearm charge, to be served consecutively. As an Armed Career Criminal, he also faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 5. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Orleans Police Department, and Levee Board Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maurice Landrieu and Sarah Dawkins, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
