Utah Man that Attempted to Steal a Vehicle and Assaulted the Driver is Sentenced to Federal Prison

Salt Lake City, Utah - A Utah man who attempted to steal a car while it was parked at a Home Depot in Salt Lake City, threw the driver into a tree, and attempted to outrun law enforcement was sentenced to 63 months' imprisonment.

Kay Elder, 36, of Farmington, Utah, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jill Parrish today after he pleaded guilty in May 2024 to carjacking. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Elder was sentenced to three years' supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Elder approached the 57-year-old victim parked at Home Depot on January 3, 2024, and began yelling at the man to get out of the car and give him the key. The victim exited the car and Elder attempted to strike and kick him but missed. Elder then grabbed the victim and threw him into a tree. Elder then attempted to drive away, but the victim had the vehicle's car key fob. Elder then ran, attempting to outrun the police. Elder was ultimately arrested. See prior press release here.

The case was investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.