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…