Laithen Bell, 20, and Cornell Jamison, 21, both of Washington, D.C., have pleaded guilty to charges related to the assault, robbery, and carjacking of a woman at gunpoint. The incident occurred on January 22, 2025, in the 4300 block of 3rd Street SE.
According to court documents, the victim was returning home shortly after midnight when she noticed a white van near her parked car. After initially driving away, the van returned as she exited her vehicle. Several men approached her from behind; one was armed with a handgun. The attackers beat her, struck her with the firearm, and stole her clothing, keys, cellphone, and car.
Bell pleaded guilty to carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Jamison pleaded guilty to carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a prohibited weapon (machine gun). Their pleas were accepted by Judge Andrea Hertzfeld in Superior Court. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2026.
The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Levy and Lauren Miller are prosecuting.
Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the guilty pleas: “Laithen Bell, 20, of Washington, D.C., and Cornell Jamison, 21, Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday in Superior Court to assaulting, robbing and carjacking a woman at gunpoint on January 22, 2025.”
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined in making the announcement.
