Memphis carjackers who shot law enforcement officers sentenced

Katherine Burgess, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
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Four men arrested in May 2021 will more than a decade each in federal prison after being convicted of carjacking, assaulting a federal officer and using a weapon during those crimes.

Julius Armstrong, 20, Adairius Armstrong, 20, Barium Martin, 20 and Malik McCoy “committed a string of violent carjackings” in Memphis in May 2021, according to police. On May 7, they crashed one of the stolen vehicles and were confronted by a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and a sergeant with the Memphis Police Department.

The four men, armed with a handgun and an assault rifle, fired on the officers’ vehicle, injuring them both.

McCoy, who was 17 at the time of the crime, was originally charged as a juvenile before being transferred to adult court.

“These young men engaged in violent criminal acts, including shooting at and injuring law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz in a written statement. “Their serious crimes deserved serious sentences. Protecting Americans from gun violence is one of our top priorities, and our efforts in this area will remain robust and unrelenting.”

Julius Armstrong received a sentence of 22 years - 264 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a carjacking, assault on a federal officer and discharging a firearm during the assault.

Adairius Armstrong received a sentence of 18 years - 216 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a carjacking. The prison assignments for the Armstrongs were not available Friday.

Martin received 13 years - 156 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a carjacking, and assault on a federal officer. He has been assigned to the federal prison in Greenville, Illinois.

McCoy received 13 years - 156 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a carjacking, and assault on a federal officer. His prison assignment was not available Friday.

Katherine Burgess covers county government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis carjackers who shot law enforcement officers sentenced