Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ATLANTA – Jeff North, a previously convicted felon, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for committing a violent carjacking and shooting the victim, and for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

“North callously shot the carjacking victim at close range when he refused to surrender his vehicle,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “As a felon, with several prior convictions for violent crimes and drug offenses, North shows no regard for the rule of law, and contempt for law abiding citizens.  This sentence will remove him from our streets and put him in federal prison where he will serve a lengthy sentence.” 

“Jeff North is a convicted felon who will be off of our streets and unable to victimize anyone for a long time,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge John Schmidt. “He will no longer be in a position to possess or use firearms. The sentence imposed by the court guarantees that our community will be safe from Mr. North for a very long time.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: On March 23, 2015, an Atlanta Police officer was on routine patrol when a person, who was later identified as the victim of a carjacking, flagged him down.  The victim, whose shirt was soaked in blood, reported that someone had just shot him and stolen his van.  The victim then pointed toward the van as it was fleeing the scene.  The police officer stopped the van, and arrested North, who was driving the van at the time.  Inside the vehicle, the officer found a revolver along with the victim’s wallet and identification. 

At the time of the carjacking, North was a six-time convicted felon, with prior convictions for robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.  

Jeff North, 54, of Atlanta, Georgia was sentenced to 25 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.  The court also ordered North to pay $36,010.71, in restitution.  After a trial, a jury convicted North on December 7, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Atlanta Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

###