Flint Man Pleads Guilty to Discharging Firearm During Carjacking

A Flint man pleaded guilty on November 8, 2016 to discharging a firearm during a carjacking, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by S. Robin Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

Mark E. Woodall, Jr., 21, of Flint, entered the guilty plea before United States District Court Judge Linda V. Parker.

According to court documents, Woodall and two accomplices carjacked and shot another man on January 20, 2014, in Flint.  Woodall and his accomplices brandished firearms as they approached the victim, who was seated in his car parked at an apartment complex.  Woodall and his accomplices ordered the victim out of his car.  Woodall and his accomplices then ordered the victim to get back in the car and drive them.  After driving several blocks, Woodall and his accomplices ordered the victim to stop the car and get into the back seat.  The victim stopped the car and took off running.  As the victim ran away, Woodall and one of his accomplices began shooting at the victim.  The victim was shot in the shoulder but managed to escape.  Woodall and his accomplices then drove away in the victim’s car.

“We are focusing our resources on the most violent offenders in Flint in hopes of improving the quality of life for residents,” McQuade said.  “Armed carjacking is one of the most serious violations of public safety, making people feel vulnerable in their own neighborhoods and driveways.   We will bring strong federal penalties against those  who prey on motorists in Flint.”

“We are committed to investigating those persons who seek to prey upon the citizens of Flint, using firearms as a means to intimidate others and commit violent crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Shoemaker said.

Woodall faces at least 10 years and up to life imprisonment for discharging the firearm during the carjacking.  Sentencing has been scheduled for February 21, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. before Judge Parker.

Woodall is currently serving a 3 to 10 year state sentence with the Michigan Department of Corrections for his involvement in a 2013 shooting in Flint.  Woodall’s federal sentence must run consecutively to his state sentence.

The case was investigated by special agents of the ATF with assistance from the Flint Police Department and Michigan State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney from the Flint Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.