Damon Bell, a 32-year-old Philadelphia resident, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for his involvement in a violent carjacking that took place in Center City Philadelphia. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney David Metcalf. In addition to the prison term, Bell received three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $14,711.27 in restitution. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Mia Roberts Perez.
Bell had been charged with one count of carjacking in October 2024 and pleaded guilty in July of the previous year.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on April 15, 2024, at around 3:20 a.m. The victim was sitting in his vehicle in a surface parking lot at 13th and Vine streets when Bell and three others approached him. They displayed firearms and demanded the keys to the car. When the victim attempted to drive away, his vehicle was blocked by another car used by the offenders.
After complying with their demands and exiting his vehicle, the victim was struck multiple times in the head with a pistol. He managed to escape on foot while Bell and his accomplices left the scene using both vehicles.
The investigation into this case involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney David Osborne prosecuted the case.
