'Kia boy' sentenced to 1 year in prison, 3 years extended supervision

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- An 18-year-old man, known as one of the "Kia boys," accused of driving a red Hyundai in a viral YouTube video, was sentenced at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on Wednesday.

Markell Hughes was sentenced to one year of prison but received credit for 368 days served, leaving him with three years extended supervision and three years of probation on a separate case. Back in April, he pled guilty to two felony counts, dropping all other charges.

"He just was in a messed-up predicament, wrong time and wrong place, and I'm glad that he's coming home," said his older brother, Darnell Carter.

Carter told CBS 58 News that he believes the 18-year-old has changed.

"He definitely regrets it all, because it made it a hassle on our family and so much to come down here," he added.

The roughly 16-minute-long YouTube documentary titled "Kia Boys" went viral in May of 2022. It now has over 6.6 million views and became the main source of evidence in Hughes' case.

"As it's referenced in the criminal complaint, outside of these cases, his fingerprints in the last year have been in six - either in or on, on the outside of stolen cars," said State Attorney Grace Gall.

The video, which was shown again in court on Wednesday, helped investigators identify Hughes as the person driving a red Hyundai Elantra recklessly on May 17, 2022.

"I want to make clear that Mr. Hughes, Markell, is not the individuals giving interviews in masks and talking about how great it is to be stealing," said Meera Al-Henaey, the teen's attorney. 

Officials said they also linked him to a separate vehicle stolen earlier that month. 

"The issue the state also has is the number of incidents in a short period of time," Gall added.

"The defense understands that and that's why Mr. Hughes pled guilty, he accepted responsibility for it, and he's been sitting in custody for a year because of that behavior," rebutted Al-Henaey. 

Hughes' attorney asked the judge to give the teen a second chance.

"I see a kid, a young man who is not even old enough to leave the nest," said Judge Danielle Shelton. "But also, send a message that your behavior in our community, committing crimes, is not tolerated."

Hughes must also complete 120 hours of community service with a nonprofit, obtain a high school diploma or complete a GED, obtain a valid driver's license and work a minimum of 20 hours a week. The judge hopes he stays busy and out of trouble.

A restitution hearing is set for Sept. 19.