D.C. Teen Sentenced in 2025 Crime Spree

WASHINGTON – Makai Bridges, 17, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for a string of crimes that included robbery, carjacking, and assault, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “At just 16, Bridges repeatedly victimized members of our community through violence, intimidation, and theft,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Even after being detained, he continued to endanger others by assaulting fellow detainees. This 12-year sentence ensures he will be held accountable for his actions and protects the public from further harm.” Bridges pleaded guilty on March 5, 2026, to carjacking, robbery, possession of a prohibited weapon, and simple assault. Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced Bridges to 12 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. The government requested 12 years in prison, which was the maximum under the sentencing guidelines. According to the government’s evidence, on May 1, 2025, at around 2:00 am, Bridges and an additional accomplice approached the victim near the intersection of 3rd Street NE and Rhode Island Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. while she was waiting at the bus stop. The two men both pointed what appeared to be firearms at the victim, one pointing the weapon at her head and the other pushing his weapon into her stomach. They then pulled the victim’s purse from her shoulder and took her cellphone out of her hand. The defendant and his conspirator threatened the victim, saying they would kill her if she called the police, and then fled the scene. The victim contacted MPD around 7:38 am, on May 1, 2025, and reported the crime. In a separate incident, on May 7, 2025, at around 10:10 pm. Bridges and four other accomplices approached another victim as he was exiting his vehicle at 1430 Otis Street NE. One member of the group pulled out what appeared to be a firearm, while the others demanded the victim’s keys. All five entered the vehicle and drove away. At around 10:50 pm, officers attempted to apprehend the defendant and his accomplices in a traffic stop after confirming the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that evening. The vehicle fled, eventually colliding with a tree box near the 1200 block of 3rd St NE. After crashing, all five men exited the vehicle and fled the officers. Officers pursued and apprehended Bridges. While in custody at the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Youth Services Center, located at 1000 Mount Oliver Rd. NE, Bridges and seven other individuals assaulted three detainees as they were being escorted through the cell block. The group rushed into the cell block, pushing past DYRS staff in an attempt to reach the detainees. Bridges was ultimately restrained by DYRS staff and then struggled to free himself in an effort to join the assault of the three victims. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Valerie Tsesarenko and Brian Hanley, who prosecuted the case. 2025 CF3 010940 & 2025 CF3 015480