Symair Carson-Williams, also known as “Lil Meer,” was sentenced to 253 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $10,000 in restitution for his involvement in a series of armed carjackings in Philadelphia. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh.
Carson-Williams, 20, was convicted on all charges in March 2025 after being indicted in May 2024. The charges included conspiracy to commit carjacking, three counts of carjacking, and three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to evidence presented at trial, Carson-Williams participated with others in three armed carjackings that took place within an hour on January 27, 2024. Surveillance video, cell phone records, forensic analysis, items recovered from stolen vehicles, and testimony from victims connected him to the crimes.
The first incident involved the theft of a blue 2019 Honda CR-V from Lansing Street during the early morning hours. About 90 minutes later, Carson-Williams and his co-conspirators used the stolen vehicle to approach a man at a Sunoco gas station on North 5th Street. Two masked offenders demanded the keys to his BMW at gunpoint; one pressed a firearm against the victim’s head before taking off with both vehicles.
Shortly after, another man was held at gunpoint on Shelmire Avenue and ordered to lie face down while his Chevrolet Equinox and personal belongings were taken. Minutes later, a third victim was targeted while pumping gas at a Conoco station on Rising Sun Avenue; he was forced to the ground at gunpoint before losing his Honda Accord.
“The victims of these carjackings were on their morning routines, when Symair Carson-Williams and his co-conspirators put a gun to their heads and made them fear for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that if you terrorize the people of Philadelphia, you can expect life-changing consequences. This defendant, now 20, will be spending more than 21 years behind bars.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division added: “Federal carjacking penalties are severe, and Carson-Williams will spend many years in prison for this triple-carjacking spree. Together with our Carjacking Task Force partners and using ATF’s unique forensic and investigative tools, we are making Philadelphia’s streets safer by bringing criminals like this to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Branwen McNabb O’Donnell and Brian Doherty prosecuted the case.
