Guilty Pleas in Carjacking Crime

(Jefferson County, MO) 

     Two men are admitting their involvement in a 2020 carjacking in Jefferson County that permanently injured the victim. 31 year old Matthew Carver, of St. Louis, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Monday to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Brandon Vandoren, 29, of St. Louis County, pled guilty November 8 to one count of carjacking. Both men admitted that on May 20, 2020, they arrived at a Jefferson County, gas station and convenience store in a stolen vehicle, intending to steal another. 
     Carver was driving, and dropped off Vandoren, who got into a car and began driving away. The car's driver, who was inside the store, ran outside and threw a soda can at the car. Vandoren hit the victim with the vehicle and fled. The victim nearly died due to the carjacking and has been left with permanent injuries.
     Both vehicles then fled from law enforcement. According to Carver's plea he ultimately crashed, fled on foot, and was captured after resisting arrest. The next day, officers found the stolen car at motel in St. Louis County. They arrested Vandoren when he answered their knock on his room door and found a firearm in the room. Vandoren is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing a firearm. Carver and Vandoren are scheduled to be sentenced in February. The carjacking charge carries a potential penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Carver’s felon in possession charge carries a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison.