Executive Summary
- Dearrius Dontrell Pace, 31, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison.
- Pace pleaded guilty to carjacking and kidnapping charges in September 2025.
- The July 2024 incident involved holding a victim at gunpoint on Lloyd Nolan Parkway.
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Pace shortly after the attack.
A Birmingham, Alabama, man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Thursday for his role in a violent carjacking and kidnapping incident, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala handed down the 240-month sentence to Dearrius Dontrell Pace, 31. The sentencing follows Pace’s guilty plea in September 2025 to one count of carjacking and one count of kidnapping.
Court documents detailing the plea agreement state that the incident occurred on July 16, 2024. Pace reportedly followed the victim leaving a gas station located on Lloyd Nolan Parkway. Investigators established that Pace confronted the victim at gunpoint as the individual attempted to enter their vehicle, forcing the victim into the passenger seat while Pace assumed control of the driver’s seat.
During the abduction, Pace demanded the victim’s wallet and cash. According to prosecutors, the victim surrendered approximately $16 and informed Pace that he did not have a wallet in his possession. Pace subsequently struck the victim in the face with a hard object before ordering him to exit the vehicle. Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Pace on July 24, 2024, following an investigation into the attack.
Judicial Outcome and Public Safety
This sentencing marks the conclusion of a federal prosecution targeting violent vehicular crimes in the Northern District of Alabama. By securing a significant prison term, federal prosecutors aim to underscore the severity with which the justice system treats armed carjacking and abduction offenses. The involvement of federal authorities often indicates a broader strategy to utilize stricter federal sentencing guidelines to address violent crime within local jurisdictions. As the defendant has entered a guilty plea and received sentencing, the judicial proceedings regarding these specific charges are now concluded.
