Eric Woods has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for an armed carjacking and a firearms offense in Washington, D.C., capping a case that started with a late-night holdup and ended with a police search by air. A judge handed down the sentence on March 13, 2026, and ordered five years of supervised release once Woods finishes his prison term, according to court records.
How Police Say The Carjacking Unfolded
Prosecutors say the trouble started around 1:33 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2024, near Hanover Place and North Capitol Street NW. Woods approached a driver in a Hyundai Elantra, pointed what officials describe as an assault-style rifle, and ordered the victim out of the car. He then took off in the Elantra.
The victim and a relative did not simply stand by. Court documents state they followed the stolen car while contacting police, setting off a search that would stretch across the city. Those details come from filings cited by DC News Now.
From Heavy Charges To A Guilty Plea
In June, Woods pleaded guilty to armed carjacking and to possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to court paperwork. He had originally faced multiple counts tied to several incidents. Prosecutors moved the case into adult court after a judge rejected a request for a transfer under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.
DC Witness has chronicled the pretrial hearings, including delays as the defense weighed the plea offer and the judge’s decision not to grant Youth Rehabilitation Act treatment.
How Officers Tracked The Stolen Car
Police did not rely only on ground units once the call went out. Court records say air support tracked the Hyundai Elantra to the 2700 block of Jasper Street SE later that day. On the ground, officers recovered a black balaclava, a beanie, and keys that investigators linked back to the victim.
Investigators say Woods tossed a loaded .22 caliber rifle into a nearby trash can during the chase, while another suspect escaped in a black sedan. Those items and movements are detailed in court filings reviewed by DC News Now.
Sentencing Context In A Tough Era For Carjackings
Federal and local prosecutors in D.C. have repeatedly pushed for lengthy prison terms in armed carjacking cases, arguing that stiff penalties are needed to respond to violent street crime and to discourage repeat offenders. The approach has produced a series of multi-year sentences for armed thefts.
As highlighted in recent press releases from the U.S. Attorney's Office, several carjacking defendants have received multi-year prison terms, a pattern prosecutors point to when they argue that armed takeovers of vehicles will draw serious prison time.
Legal Implications For Young Defendants
Because Woods was prosecuted as an adult under Title 16, he was not eligible for reduced-sentencing options under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. Prosecutors cited that status at sentencing, noting that the adult prosecution track opened the door to a longer prison term.
Court filings indicate the plea agreement allowed both sides to avoid a longer, more complex trial and spared prosecutors from pursuing additional indictments. DC Witness reported on the judge’s rulings during pretrial hearings, including how those decisions shaped the final outcome.
Woods has been in custody since his arrest on Oct. 11, 2024, the day of the carjacking, according to court records. With the 10-year sentence now in place, the case closes on what started as a brief but terrifying street encounter that residents and law enforcement say underscores ongoing worries about armed thefts on D.C. roads.
