Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HOUSTON – A 23-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

David Steve Elias pleaded guilty July 16, 2018. 

Today, U.S. District Judge David Hittner ordered him to serve 150 months for each offense to run consecutively for a total of 300 months, which will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was enhanced based on the violent nature of the crimes.

Co-defendant Lawrence Benjamin Gordon, 23 of Houston, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm and received a total sentence of 180 months in federal prison Feb. 27, 2019.

On July 21, 2017, Elias and Gordon successfully carjacked a victim of his Toyota Rav4. The victim was not able to identify either of the suspects, but said that the Hispanic male, later identified as Elias pistol whipped him and told the other  accomplice, Gordon, to “grab his [sic].”

On July 22, 2017, Elias and Gordon were both armed when they carjacked a another victim and her boyfriend, stealing a black Lincoln. During the altercation, both defendants pointed the pistols at the victim and ordered them out of the vehicle, at which time Elias struck the male victim in the head with his gun.

The defendants also stole the victim’s iphone. Based on its location, police were able to find Elias and Gordon, followed them for a short while and ultimately  attempted to apprehend both men. Elias got out of the vehicle and shot several rounds at the police and attempted to run. Gordon was apprehended from the vehicle.

The victim was later able to identify both of the defendants from a photo lineup, indicating Elias was the one who pistol whipped him.

At the time of their arrest, Gordon admitted he and Elias were involved in the carjacking of Rav4 and the Lincoln. Elias attempted to flea on foot and shot at the police, one police officer was injured with shards of glass from his windshield. 

Both men have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Basile is prosecuting the case.

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