PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that defendants Khaiyri Burgess, 20, and Shaquan Johnson, 20, both of Philadelphia, PA, were charged by Indictment today with Hobbs Act robbery and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during commission of that crime.
On August 8, 2018, the defendants and a third accomplice victimized a 17-year-old girl in her Italian Market home while stealing approximately $1 million in U.S. currency and jewelry owned by her parents. Specifically, at midnight, while she lay sleeping, the men entered her bedroom, pulled her from her bed, and struck her several times. They then held her at gunpoint and robbed her family of their life savings-the proceeds of their restaurant business a block-and-a-half away on Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia.
“As alleged in the Indictment, the complete disregard that these defendants had for the safety of others, especially for a child, is appalling," said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “No one should need to worry about having their home robbed, their child dragged out of bed and pistol whipped, and their life savings stolen. This Indictment is an example of how my Office is working to get dangerous criminals off the streets of Philadelphia."
“ATF’s primary mission is to reduce violent crime and protect the citizens of our communities," said Special Agent in Charge Donald Robinson. “This indictment is a perfect example of our long-standing working relationships with the Philadelphia Police Department and US Attorney’s Office to aggressively address violent crime and to hold those responsible accountable."
"The arrests of Khaiyri Burgess and Shaquan Johnson, and the investigation which led to them, are evidence of the merits of strong and consistent inter-agency collaborations," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross. "Project Safe Neighborhoods promotes, and provides a platform for, these multi-tiered collaborative efforts. With these arrests, two dangerous offenders will be removed from the communities which they have victimized. We anticipate that arrests like these will continue to have an appreciable impact on the safety of our city's residents and visitors."
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit our website.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum 7 years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence of imprisonment imposed; up to 5 years’ supervised release; a $500,000 fine; and a $200 special assessment. They will also be required to forfeit the proceeds of their offense.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeanine Linehan and Sarah Damiani.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
