A Memphis man pled guilty to charges stemming from a carjacking incident in May 2024, according to an announcement by Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Jaylen Simpson, age 23, committed the crime on May 16, 2024. He hid in the backyard of a Memphis resident before confronting and shooting the victim in the stomach. Following the assault, Simpson stole the victim's car, a 2017 Kia Cadenza, which was parked in the driveway.
Memphis Police Department officers tracked down Simpson and gave chase after locating him and the stolen vehicle. Simpson eventually left the car behind and fled on foot, but was apprehended by the officers. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was found in his backpack.
On April 15, 2025, Simpson avoided trial by pleading guilty to federal charges of carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury and using a firearm during a crime of violence. He is set for sentencing on July 16, 2025, facing a minimum of ten years imprisonment for firearm discharge, with a maximum potential sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will consider several factors, including the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, to reach a final decision.
This case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through a cooperative effort between law enforcement and communities. The program was enhanced on May 26, 2021, to emphasize community trust, support violence prevention organizations, set strategic enforcement priorities, and measure the outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department Violent Crime Unit. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ashleigh Atasoy, from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hall, of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.