A federal judge has sentenced 59-year-old Erik Hadad to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release after a federal jury convicted him of carjacking a customer of the car dealership he operated with his sons.
The case centers on an incident involving Guru Auto Sales, Hadad’s dealership, which, in October 2023, sold a salvaged 2020 Honda Accord to a 24-year-old Haitian legal immigrant. The sale agreement required the buyer to pay $30,000 over five years at an annual interest rate of 24.22%.
After finalizing the sale, Guru Auto Sales sold the buyer’s loan to a finance company for a lump sum payment of about $13,800. However, the deal included a claw-back provision that allowed the finance company to demand the lump sum back from the dealership if the buyer missed either of his first two payments.
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When the victim was late on his first payment, the finance company enforced the claw-back clause, demanding that Guru Auto return approximately $13,000. The finance company further informed the dealership that it had no legal right to the Honda Accord and could not repossess the vehicle until the repayment was made.
On December 19, 2023, just five days after Guru Auto Sales received the claw-back demand—and after the buyer had caught up on his payments—Hadad allegedly targeted the victim. Staking out the victim’s home, Hadad followed him when he left in his Honda, which the victim was driving to Miami International Airport, where he works as a baggage loader and bathroom cleaner.
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According to court testimony, Hadad tailed the victim in a BMW, aggressively following him down the highway. After both vehicles stopped at a red light, Hadad exited his car, approached the Honda, and forcibly removed the car’s temporary paper tag while shouting at the victim to exit the vehicle. The victim attempted to drive away, but Hadad continued to pursue him.
The confrontation culminated at a train station, where Hadad demanded that the victim surrender the key to his Honda. In a further escalation, Hadad lifted his shirt to reveal a loaded Smith & Wesson pistol holstered at his waistband. Facing the threat, the victim handed over his keys before calling police. Officers arrived on the scene and arrested Hadad.
United States District Judge K. Michael Moore imposed the sentence, emphasizing the severity of the offense.
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