2 Charlotte men sentenced to prison for roles in multi-state luxury vehicle theft ring

*News release provided by CMPD.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News Release) – Two Charlotte men were sentenced to prison today for their involvement in a multi-state stolen vehicle conspiracy involving millions of dollars in high-end vehicles and trafficking large quantities of marijuana, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Estella D. Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

Andre Lamar Sumner, 43, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Erren Woodson, 40, was ordered to serve 51 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Sumner and Woodson previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of marijuana.

“Sumner and Woodson were criminals from head to toe – driving around in expensive stolen vehicles, engaging in fraud, and dealing drugs with piles of guns and ammunition,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Thanks to the work of law enforcement, all of this crime is over, and Sumner and Woodson will be in federal prison.”

“These defendants boldly participated in this luxury car theft ring across at least 10 states and took extra steps to conceal their crimes. Despite their efforts, they could not deter the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who meticulously traced and tracked their crime spree and brought them to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Reid.

“Today’s sentencings continue to underscore the power of strong partnerships and our shared commitment to protecting this community,” said Chief Patterson. “The specialized work of our SCARLET Detectives was instrumental in dismantling this network and holding these individuals accountable. This case is a clear example of how coordinated work between local and federal agencies disrupts organized criminal networks, prevents violence and ensures that those who endanger our neighborhoods are held fully accountable. CMPD will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to stop violent crime before it occurs and safeguard the people of our great city!”

According to filed documents and statements made in court, the FBI and CMPD’s Stolen Car And Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET) determined that Sumner and Woodson were involved in a high-end stolen vehicle ring involving luxury cars and trucks from car dealerships, rental car companies, and private individuals across the United States, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Missouri.

Sumner operated as a “fence” in the conspiracy who sold stolen vehicles to Woodson and others. A fence is someone who acts as the middleman and finds or deals with buyers for stolen property. Sumner sought to fence high-end stolen vehicles such as luxury models made by BMW, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce, as well as trucks and other expensive models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and RAM.

According to court records, Sumner sold the stolen cars to buyers at prices significantly below their fair market value. To avoid detection and maximize resale value, Sumner conspired with others to alter the stolen vehicles’ original Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and fraudulently register them with various state motor vehicle agencies. As court documents show, during the conspiracy, Sumner possessed or had personal knowledge of at least 31 stolen vehicles estimated to be worth more than $2 million.

Sumner also kept some of the vehicles for personal use. On or about September 13, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sumner’s residence in Charlotte, where they located four stolen vehicles outside his residence: a 2020 Ford Explorer that was stolen in New Jersey in December 2022; a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk stolen in New Jersey in January 2023; a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali stolen in South Carolina in January 2023; and a 2021 RAM TRX that was stolen in Pennsylvania in January 2023. All four vehicles displayed fraudulent VINs.

During the car theft conspiracy, Sumner was also involved in drug trafficking, which helped fund the purchase of stolen vehicles. During the execution of the search warrant at Sumner’s residence, law enforcement located approximately 71 pounds of marijuana. Officers located additional evidence of narcotics trafficking at Sumner’s residence, including: approximately two pounds of psilocybin/psilocin mushrooms; three firearms (a Palmetto State AR-15, a Cobra .380 pistol, and a Ruger P-series handgun, each with loaded magazines); approximately $118,619 in U.S. currency; as well as narcotics packaging, money counters, a vacuum sealer, and digital scales.

According to court documents, Woodson was also an armed drug trafficker who possessed expensive stolen cars. On multiple occasions, Woodson received or purchased stolen vehicles from Sumner, knowing they were stolen. Woodson regularly communicated with Sumner to discuss the available inventory of stolen vehicles and prices for the stolen cars. During the conspiracy, Woodson received or was otherwise aware of at least eight stolen vehicles, including: a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette; a 2021 Dodge Durango; a 2018 Ford F150; a 2022 GMC Yukon; a 2023; GMC Yukon; a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Wagoneer; a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300; and a 2022 RAM TRX. Six of these vehicles were located by investigators, displaying altered VINs, and were in Woodson’s possession or in the possession of other individuals affiliated with Woodson.

On December 20, 2023, law enforcement recovered a stolen 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray from the residence of an individual associated with Woodson.

As with Sumner, Woodson was also involved in narcotics trafficking during the conspiracy, which helped fund the purchase of stolen vehicles. On December 20, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodson’s residence in Charlotte, where they seized approximately 86 pounds of packaged marijuana and approximately 7.6 pounds of packaged psilocybin/psilocin mushrooms, intended for distribution. Law enforcement also seized nine firearms, including: rifles, shotguns, pistols, and a revolver, $586,000 in U.S. currency and two stolen vehicles: a 2018 Ford F150 and a 2021 Dodge Durango.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson commended the FBI and CMPD’s SCARLET unit for their investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Bozin and Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are in charge of the prosecutions.