PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies, has significantly impacted local carjacking rates, officials reported at a press conference today. U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, alongside leaders from the ATF, FBI, and Philadelphia Police, detailed the task force’s success since its inception two years ago.
Since 2022, the task force has brought federal charges against 103 defendants involved in 121 carjackings, with some cases leading to severe penalties. For instance, Dashawn Pringle received a 10½-year sentence for two armed carjackings, and John Nusslein faces up to 25 years after pleading guilty to similar charges, including an incident where an elderly man was killed.
The number of carjackings has notably decreased from a peak of 1,311 in 2022 to 900 in 2023, with early 2024 figures promising a further decline. The officials emphasized that carjacking is a serious crime that can attract long federal prison terms, highlighting several cases where offenders received sentences ranging from seven to over 18 years.
The task force utilizes ATF’s crime gun intelligence and other federal resources to tackle these violent crimes effectively. U.S. Attorney Romero stressed the community’s safety and the legal repercussions for carjackers, underscoring the task force’s ongoing commitment to reducing carjackings and prosecuting offenders rigorously.
