Rubin Raphael Bordeaux, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of armed carjackings that targeted delivery drivers in Maryland and the District of Columbia in November 2023. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and FBI Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge Sean T. Ryan.
Details of the Crimes
Between November 9 and November 14, 2023, Bordeaux and his co-conspirators executed a spree of armed carjackings and robberies over four days across the District of Columbia and Maryland. The crimes escalated from initial robberies to a violent confrontation involving a shooting and a high-speed chase.
- November 9, 2023: In Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Bordeaux and a co-conspirator targeted a UPS driver. The co-conspirator, armed with a silver firearm, ordered the driver to surrender her keys and demonstrated how to operate the UPS truck. They abandoned the vehicle after offloading packages.
- November 9, 2023: Approximately an hour later in Oxon Hill, Maryland, the duo targeted a FedEx driver, using their pickup truck to box in the victim. Bordeaux displayed a revolver, demanded the keys, and drove off with the FedEx truck, which was later found stripped of packages in Washington, D.C.
- November 13, 2023: In Washington, D.C., Bordeaux approached an Amtrak driver seated in a marked truck. After a brief interaction, Bordeaux brandished a black firearm, demanded the truck, and drove off. The vehicle was abandoned after causing significant damage.
- November 14, 2023: In Forestville, Maryland, Bordeaux and his co-conspirators targeted a shopper and her child in a department store parking lot. Later that day, they approached an Amazon delivery driver in Southeast D.C., firing shots at him. The driver complied, and Bordeaux drove off in the Amazon van, leading police on an eight-mile chase into Maryland. He was apprehended after attempting to flee on foot.
Legal Proceedings
Bordeaux pleaded guilty on September 12, 2024, to carjacking and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb sentenced him to 192 months in prison and ordered three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Mayer-Dempsey, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Reeder-Ricchetti, and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Omeed Ali Assefi and Jacqueline Yarbro prosecuted the case.
Impact on the Community
This series of crimes highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by delivery drivers, who are often targeted during their work. The violent nature of these offenses underscored the need for heightened security measures and support for individuals in delivery professions.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Rubin Raphael Bordeaux serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in violent crimes, particularly those targeting individuals performing essential services. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies were instrumental in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
For more information on this case, please refer to the official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
