DOJ: Mississippi Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Armed Carjacking

DOJ News

Filed March 17th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Department of Justice announced that Un’Darius Dickerson was sentenced to nine years in prison for armed carjacking and brandishing a firearm. The sentencing is part of the DOJ's Violent Crime Initiative.

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What changed

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the sentencing of Un’Darius Dickerson to nine years in prison for armed carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the offense. Dickerson used a rifle to demand and take a victim's car keys, subsequently fleeing in the vehicle. He was apprehended the following day by police while still in possession of the stolen vehicle and later assisted law enforcement in recovering the firearm used in the crime.

This case highlights the DOJ's commitment to prosecuting violent crimes, particularly through its Violent Crime Initiative in the Memphis, Tennessee area. The initiative involves collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat gang-related violence. While this specific case involves an individual sentence, it underscores the potential consequences for violent offenders, including lengthy prison terms and the use of federal resources for prosecution.

What to do next

Review DOJ's Violent Crime Initiative for potential impacts on local enforcement strategies.
Ensure internal policies address the prosecution and sentencing guidelines for violent crimes involving firearms.

Penalties

Nine years in prison

Source document (simplified)

News

Press Release

Mississippi Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Armed Carjacking

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A Mississippi man was sentenced yesterday to nine years in prison for carjacking and for brandishing a firearm during the carjacking.

According to court documents, Un’Darius Dickerson, 24, of Jackson, Mississippi, brandished a firearm to take the victim’s motor vehicle by force. On Nov. 19, 2024, Dickerson, wearing a ski mask, approached the victim, pointed a rifle in her face, and demanded, “You know what this is. Give me those keys.” The victim gave Dickerson her car keys, and he drove away in the victim’s vehicle.

A day later, Southaven, Mississippi, Police Officers arrested Dickerson, still driving the victim’s car, after he attempted to flee police from a traffic stop. During an interview with law enforcement following his arrest, Dickerson admitted to “robbing” the victim and assisted law enforcement in recovering the firearm he brandished during the carjacking.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Memphis Police Department investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Marcus Johnson and former Trial Attorney Shriram Harid of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Musselwhite for the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.

This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee and surrounding areas. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.

Updated March 17, 2026 Components Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Criminal Division Criminal - Violent Crime and Racketeering Section USAO - Tennessee, Western Press Release Number: 26-260