Two Charlotte men sentenced for interstate luxury-vehicle theft, VIN fraud, and marijuana trafficking, federal authorities say

Federal case ties stolen luxury vehicles to drug trafficking activity in Charlotte-area investigations

Two Charlotte men were sentenced on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in federal court for their roles in a multi-state conspiracy that combined the movement of stolen luxury vehicles with drug trafficking activity. Andre Lamar Sumner, 43, received a 70-month prison sentence, and Erren Woodson, 40, was sentenced to 51 months. Both were also ordered to serve two years of supervised release after completing their prison terms.

The case centered on the theft and resale of high-end vehicles across state lines, paired with fraudulent vehicle registrations that relied on altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). Investigators concluded the conspiracy operated across at least 10 states and involved vehicles taken from dealerships, rental companies, and private owners.

How the vehicle scheme worked

Authorities described Sumner as a key intermediary in the conspiracy. Prosecutors said he functioned as a “fence,” obtaining stolen vehicles and arranging their sale to buyers, including Woodson, at prices below market value. The conspiracy was built around preserving resale value while reducing the risk of detection through paperwork and identification fraud.

• Stolen vehicles were moved through interstate channels and resold in the Charlotte area.
• VINs were altered to support fraudulent registration with state motor-vehicle agencies.
• Targeted models included high-end brands and expensive trucks, reflecting a focus on higher profit margins.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement searched Sumner’s residence on Sept. 13, 2023, and reported finding four stolen vehicles bearing fraudulent VINs. Items seized during that search included 71 pounds of marijuana, approximately two pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, three loaded firearms, and $118,619 in cash.

Drug trafficking and weapons seizures

Prosecutors portrayed Woodson as an armed drug trafficker who bought stolen vehicles from Sumner and maintained regular communications about available vehicles and pricing. Investigators searched Woodson’s residence on Dec. 20, 2023, and reported seizing 86 pounds of marijuana and 7.6 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms intended for distribution, along with nine firearms and $586,000 in cash. Two stolen vehicles—described as a 2018 Ford F-150 and a 2021 Dodge Durango—were also recovered at the property.

Both defendants 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.

The sentencing closes one portion of a broader enforcement focus in the Charlotte region that has targeted theft networks moving high-end vehicles through interstate markets and disguising their origins through identification and registration fraud.

The investigation involved federal authorities and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team, known as SCARLET.