A Detroit man was sentenced Thursday to nine years in federal prison after being convicted of two attempted and one successful carjacking on the same day in 2021, federal authorities said. In one case, he fired his gun at a fleeing teenager.
Gregory Horsley, 20, committed the crimes on May 14, 2021 in Beverly Hills, a surburb in Oakland County, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
In each case, he targeted people inside their vehicles near the intersection of Thirteen Mile Road and Evergreen.
In the first carjacking, Horsley approached a 16-year-old sitting in his car, pulled out a loaded assault rifle and pointed at it him. As the teen drove off, Horsley fired his weapon, striking the vehicle.
In his second attempt Horsley approached a car occupied by a woman. Brandishing his firearm, he ordered her out of the car. The victim exited the car and Horsley jumped in.
But he couldn't drive away because the woman had the key fob in her pocket, authorities said.
He then exited the car and approached a third driver. Horsley pointed his firearm at the male driver and ordered him out of the car. The driver complied. Horsley then took the keys and drove off.
The carjacked vehicle was found a few days later.
Authorities identified Horsley through surveillance video and arrested him at his Detroit home.
“Those who seek to prey on motorists going about their business will continue to have our full attention, and we will not hesitate to pursue federal prosecution and significant penalties at our disposal,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison in a statement.