United States Attorney David Metcalf has announced the sentencing of Naseem Rashidi Clouden, a 23-year-old resident of Philadelphia, to over ten years in prison. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney on March 13. Clouden received 121 months in prison and five years of supervised release for charges including carjacking and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Clouden was indicted in January 2023 and pleaded guilty in November 2024. He admitted to carjacking an individual who was seated in her mother's Toyota Camry on November 3, 2022, in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane section. During the incident, Clouden and his accomplices used firearms to intimidate the victim into surrendering the vehicle.
The victim reported that six men approached her while she sat in the vehicle. They ordered her out at gunpoint, with one man shouting "shoot her" when she did not move quickly enough. The victim complied, allowing four offenders to drive away with the car.
Police officers responding to the scene pursued the stolen vehicle until it stopped on Old York Road, where three men fled on foot. Officers recovered a firearm and located Clouden hiding under a van nearby. He was subsequently identified as one of those involved in the carjacking.
U.S. Attorney Metcalf stated: “Naseem Clouden terrorized our city at gunpoint... We simply won’t stand for these senseless acts of violence.” Eric DeGree from ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division added: “‘Shoot her!’ a carjacker yelled... thanks to the responding police officers, Naseem Rashidi Clouden has been convicted and sentenced.”
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel emphasized: “This latest sentencing... is a testament to the continued commitment... Carjacking endangers the safety and peace of mind of our residents.”
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The investigation involved cooperation between ATF and Philadelphia Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Stram.
