Two of three suspects accused of participating in an Atlanta carjacking have pleaded guilty and been sentenced, while the third suspect — who is also accused of robbing a Beltline jogger at gunpoint — is still awaiting trial.
Quantavius Rashard Walker, 21, pleaded not guilty to every charge in connection with the May 30 armed carjacking, the Memorial Day robbery on the Beltline and several other incidents, Fulton County court records show. In total, he faces more than 20 felonies and is accused of four armed robberies within a three-day period, which prosecutors are attempting to merge into one trial.
RELATED: Arrest made in Beltline jogger's attack; suspect accused of other felonies
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
His co-defendant in the carjacking case, a 17-year-old man, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to robbery, aggravated assault with intent to rob and a firearm possession charge, court records show.
The suspect was 16 years old at the time of the incident. The juvenile and Walker stole a man’s 2020 BMW at gunpoint while also robbing the victim of his credit cards and other personal belongings, according to their joint indictment.
While Walker was arrested in June, shortly after the high-profile robbery on the Beltline, the juvenile was arrested in September. His case was classified as a juvenile case, and AJC.com only identifies juveniles who are charged as adults. After his prison time, he will spend five years on probation.
The carjacking case also led to the conviction of Jesse Lee Ashford, 23, on eight counts of financial transaction card fraud in late July. Ashford used the credit cards stolen during the carjacking to purchase cigarettes, pizza, gasoline and other items, according to his indictment.
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
He was sentenced to four months in prison followed by 18 months on probation. However, Ashford was released from prison after only two months, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records, meaning he’ll spend 20 months on probation. That was his third stint in a Georgia prison, GDC records show.
The carjacking capped off a month-long crime spree for Walker, according to prosecutors. In a motion filed Monday, prosecutors asked for four of his armed robbery cases to be merged into one trial to free up court calendar space since the incidents “are so similar as to show a common scheme or plan.”
The motion continues to allege that Walker’s robberies were “crimes of opportunity,” where he frequented areas on or near the Beltline in an effort to rob pedestrians.
About 7 p.m. May 27, he’s accused of doing just that in the 1100 block of Harwell Street, which is near Washington Park. The victim said a man was trying to speak to her while she was jogging, but she ignored him. He then tapped on her shoulder.
“I turned around and he had a gun out,” the woman, who asked Channel 2 Action News to remain anonymous, said at the time. “I don’t even know if he even said anything. I just said, ‘What do you want?’”
The suspect wanted her phone, money and keys, which she gave to him, police said. Police later used surveillance cameras to identify the man as Walker, releasing several photos of him in hopes of making an arrest.
MORE: Man accused of robbing Beltline jogger ID'd
Credit: Photo: Crime Stoppers Atlanta
Credit: Photo: Crime Stoppers Atlanta
He was arrested in Decatur the following week, which is when police said he was tied to two armed carjackings May 30 — which includes the one that led to the two other guilty pleas — and an attempted armed carjacking May 29.
He’s also accused of another carjacking May 3, when he allegedly stole a man’s 2011 Honda CRV at gunpoint, according to Walker’s indictments. That case is not among the ones prosecutors are attempting to merge into one trial.
Walker remains in the Fulton County Jail without bond as he awaits trial.
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