DETROIT – Rayquan Sturgis, 23, of Detroit, MI, pled guilty today to a spree of three violent carjackings he committed in June and July 2020. Sturgis also pled guilty to additional charges of using and discharging a firearm during crimes of violence. Sturgis faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced the plea today and was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division.
“My office is committed to using all of our resources to combat violent crime in our community, particularly targeting those who use firearms to commit that violence. Today’s guilty pleas reflect that commitment and serve as a warning to those who use a gun to terrorize and harm others,” stated US Attorney Ison.
According to court records, Sturgis committed the three carjackings between June 10, 2020 and July 7, 2020 on the west side of Detroit. All three of the victims were strangers to Sturgis who had offered him a ride in their car. In the first carjacking on June 10, 2020, Sturgis pulled out a gun, pointed it at the victim, and forced her out of her car before stealing it.
In the second, on June 18, 2020, Sturgis got out of the victim’s van when they stopped, walked around to the driver’s side, and immediately fired multiple shots at the victim, striking him in the leg, arm, and hand. The victim suffered permanent injuries as a result.
Finally, on July 7, 2020, Sturgis got a ride from the third victim, before pistol whipping him and stealing his car and driving away.
Sentencing is set for January 25, 2022.
The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Picek.