Fargo, Cass County (trfnews.i234.me) A 29-year-old Fargo man has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Nathaniel Thomas Smith admitted to an armed carjacking and a string of vehicle thefts.
Federal records say he moved stolen vehicles between North Dakota and Minnesota.
Guilty plea in U.S. District Court
Smith signed a plea agreement on Jan. 5 in U.S. District Court.
He pleaded guilty to robbery and eight theft counts tied to interstate travel.
The documents say the thefts happened from late August to mid-September 2025.
Armed carjacking hit the local crew
The most serious charge stems from a Sept. 8, 2025, incident in Fargo.
Prosecutors say Smith showed a gun during a carjacking.
The victims worked for Snow & Lawn Dynamics at the time.
Smith took a vehicle and a trailer, court records say.
The business reported losses above $20,000.
The case falls under the Hobbs Act, which covers robbery that affects commerce.
Learn more about the Hobbs Act at Cornell Law School.
Eight stolen vehicles crossed state lines
Federal prosecutors say Smith stole eight vehicles and moved them across state borders.
The combined losses from the thefts topped $150,000, according to the plea deal.
- White 2013 GMC Sierra, taken Aug. 29 in Minnesota.
- Blue 2006 Dodge Ram, taken Sept. 1 to 5 in Minnesota.
- Red 2003 Chevy Silverado, taken Sept. 2 to 5 in Minnesota.
- Black 2019 Chevy Silverado, taken Sept. 7 to 8 in Minnesota.
- Gray 2024 Ford Maverick, taken Sept. 8 to 9 in North Dakota.
- White 2014 Chrysler Town & Country, taken Sept. 9 to 11 in North Dakota.
- White 2020 Kenworth semi tractor, taken Sept. 9 to 11 in Minnesota.
- The vehicle and trailer were taken in the Sept. 8 armed carjacking.
A call from jail raised an obstruction claim
State officers arrested Smith on Sept. 12, court records say.
Prosecutors say he later tried to erase evidence from a phone.
He told another person to “wipe it remotely,” records say.
That claim added an obstruction boost to his sentencing range.
Possible sentence and next steps
The robbery count can bring up to 20 years in federal prison.
Each interstate theft count can bring up to 10 years.
Fines can reach $250,000 per count, the plea deal notes.
The agreement lists an offense level of 27 under federal guidelines.
Prosecutors agreed to seek a low-end sentence within that range.
A sentencing date was not listed in the plea filing.
Smith also faces restitution orders for victims, if the judge approves.
The plea deal binds only the U.S. Attorney’s Office in North Dakota.
Read more about that office at justice.gov.
Smith remains held at the Cass County Jail, according to court documents.
He also faces separate state allegations tied to conduct in custody.
For local custody details, see Cass County’s detention center page.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.