News Summary
Estifanos Kumssa has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison following a series of violent carjackings that began in 2019. Kumssa’s crimes involved using a firearm to threaten victims and steal their vehicles, leading to his apprehension and a lengthy prison term to ensure community safety. The sentencing reflects ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in Nashville.
Nashville, TN – Estifanos Kumssa, 26, was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of carjacking incidents that began in 2019. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the 260-month sentence on July 31, 2025, as part of an effort to combat violent crime in the region.
Kumssa’s criminal activities started on May 30, 2019, when he was just 18 years old. His first known carjacking took place in an Antioch parking lot, where he brandished a pink and black handgun. He approached a rideshare driver, demanding money. When the driver indicated he had no cash, Kumssa took the driver’s wallet and ordered him to leave his vehicle. After forcing the driver out, Kumssa entered the vehicle, unlocked a door for an accomplice, and fled the scene.
Less than six hours later, Kumssa struck again on Murfreesboro Pike. He approached a victim who was cleaning a business while another person waited inside their vehicle. Again using the drawn pistol, he demanded the vehicle keys from the waiting victim, but successfully fled with the second vehicle with the help of an accomplice.
Authorities quickly issued a be-on-the-lookout alert for the vehicle that Kumssa had stolen. Shortly thereafter, a patrol officer spotted the car and attempted a traffic stop. However, Kumssa fled, leading to a brief chase. Law enforcement eventually stopped the vehicle using spike strips, and after a short foot pursuit, Kumssa was apprehended. Officers recovered the pink and black handgun used during the carjackings at the time of his arrest.
Kumssa had a history of criminal activity prior to these incidents. He had previously been convicted of three state felonies, including two counts of auto burglary in September 2017 and a carjacking in January 2018. In his federal case, he was convicted of two counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence but was acquitted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The lengthy prison sentence reflects the ongoing commitment to community safety, as highlighted by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. The authorities expressed the need to protect citizens from violent offenders and ensure that such crimes are thoroughly prosecuted.
In addition to his prison term, Kumssa will face three years of supervised release after completing his sentence. This monitoring aims to reduce the risk of reoffending once he is released back into the community, reinforcing measures to curb violent crime in Nashville and surrounding areas.
As crime rates continue to pose challenges in urban settings, law enforcement agencies focus on addressing violent offenses to foster a safer environment for residents. The prosecution of individuals like Kumssa is a key aspect of this strategy, as authorities work diligently to uphold justice and ensure public safety.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WSMV: Police Searching Armed Teens Carjacking Drivers Across Nashville
- Wikipedia: Carjacking
- WKRN: Green Hills Residents React After Teen Carjacking Spree
- Google Search: Teen Carjacking Spree Nashville
- Fox17: Nashville Teens Charged in Overnight Carjacking Spree
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
- WKRN: Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection with Multiple Nashville Carjackings
- Google News: Nashville Carjackings
Author: HERE Nashville
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