WASHINGTON — A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to carjack a vehicle occupied by two deputies assigned to protect Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, according to court records unsealed Thursday.
Kentrell Flowers, who pleaded guilty in February to using a firearm during a crime of violence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who also ordered an additional five years of supervised release following his prison term.
The incident took place shortly after 1 a.m. on July 5, 2024, in Washington, D.C., when two U.S. Marshals Service deputies, stationed in an unmarked government car and wearing official Marshals shirts, were confronted by Flowers. According to the criminal complaint, Flowers exited a minivan, approached the vehicle, and pointed a loaded firearm directly at one of the deputies through the car window.
In response, the deputy fired four shots, striking Flowers once in the mouth. Despite his injuries, the deputy provided first aid until medical responders arrived. Flowers was hospitalized for approximately one week. Two other suspects, who fled the scene — one in the minivan and another on foot — remain unidentified.
Although Justice Sotomayor was not named in the court filings, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed the deputies were assigned to the protection of Supreme Court justices. The carjacking occurred near Sotomayor’s residence, but officials said there was no indication she was specifically targeted.
In court filings, prosecutors called Flowers’ actions “chilling” and “a total disregard” for the safety of law enforcement and the community. They recommended the full 10-year sentence, which Judge Leon ultimately imposed.
Flowers’ attorney, Maria Jacob, argued for a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, citing her client’s youth and clean criminal record. She told the court that Flowers had “made the biggest mistake of his life” and noted the seriousness of the encounter, writing, “Given how many shots were fired in his direction, it is unbelievable that only one bullet struck him.”
The case highlights the heightened risks faced by security personnel assigned to federal officials, especially during a time of increased threats against public figures. Flowers will now serve his sentence in a federal facility, with supervised release to follow.
