Las Vegas Man Indicted For Carjacking And Firearm Offenses After Shooting At Police And A Civilian During Flight

DOJ Press

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach for two carjackings involving separate victims. The defendant shot at both the victim and police during the second incident.

Justin Venegas (40) is charged by indictment with two counts of carjacking, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm. A jury trial has been scheduled for November 14, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.

According to allegations made in the indictment, on August 11, 2022, Venegas carjacked an individual who was in a Chevrolet Avalanche. Later, he attempted to carjack a second victim who was in a Toyota Highlander. He shot at and struck the second carjacking victim using a handgun with an obliterated serial number. Venegas is a convicted felon, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for each count of carjacking is 15 years in prison; the statutory maximum penalty for brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is life in prison; and the statutory maximum penalty for felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.


U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.


This case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Reese is prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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