WASHINGTON – Maleek Thomas, 23, was sentenced Friday to 19.5 years in prison, in connection to a deadly carjacking that killed Melvin Dock, Jr., , in Southeast Washington, D.C. on October 30, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Thomas pleaded guilty on December 2, 2025, to one count of second-degree murder while armed for the murder of Melvin Dock, Jr. and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon for the shooting of the victim. On March 27, 2026, Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced Thomas to 19.5 years of incarceration and five years of supervised release at the conclusion of his sentence.
The government’s evidence indicates that on October 30, 2023, Thomas messaged an individual, the intended carjacking victim, via Instagram to hang out in Southeast DC. The individual travelled from out of town to meet the defendant. Unbeknownst to this victim, Thomas’ true intention was to carjack this victim at gunpoint. When the defendant got into this victim’s car, he pointed a pistol at the victim and instructed the victim to give up the car. The victim would not relent. Instead, the victim attempted to flee. Around the same time as Thomas attempted to carjack the victim, Melvin Dock, Jr., approached the driver-side door of the car. The defendant pulled the trigger and, because the pistol was equipped with a “switch” that initiated automatic gunfire, multiple rounds were expelled and both the victim and Dock were shot. The victim slammed on the gas and made his escape. He ultimately survived. Dock, however, succumbed to his injuries later that night.
Thomas was arrested by MPD in February of 2024.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wes Faulkner, Jr. and Sabena Auyeung.
2024 CF1 001758
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — District of Columbia — U.S. Department of Justice press release.