The final individual among six defendants accused of participating in a scheme to remove or destroy evidence from an impounded vehicle has been arrested, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Federal authorities charged Tyree Goldsmith, 38; Kyle Smith, 41; Lamont Sparrow, 38; Latonya Upchurch, 57; and Taleah Goldsmith, 39—all from Philadelphia—and Shafiq Taylor, 30, of Glenolden. The charges stem from an incident that began with a traffic stop by Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) on April 27, 2024.
Following the stop, officers observed marijuana and a scale inside Tyree Goldsmith’s Ford F-450. The vehicle was impounded at the PSP Philadelphia Barracks pending a search warrant. Shortly after the truck arrived at the impound lot, troopers executed a search warrant and recovered a loaded Glock pistol, marijuana packaged in nine bags, a digital scale, and $865 in cash.
Prosecutors allege that between April 27 and April 29, the six defendants conspired to break into the impound lot to retrieve items from the truck at Tyree Goldsmith’s request. He was under federal supervision and state parole at the time and sought to avoid additional criminal charges.
According to court documents, after finding that police had already seized key evidence from the vehicle, the group set fire to it in an attempt to prevent law enforcement from using any recovered items as evidence against Tyree Goldsmith. Prosecutors further allege that prior to this act of arson on April 29—carried out by Tyree Goldsmith along with Smith, Sparrow, Taylor and others—Goldsmith purchased an insurance policy for the truck. Upchurch and Taleah Goldsmith then allegedly filed a fraudulent insurance claim for damages resulting from the fire.
All six individuals face charges including conspiracy, tampering with objects or proceedings, and destruction or removal of property to prevent search or seizure. Additionally:
- Tyree Goldsmith, Smith, Sparrow and Taylor are charged with malicious damage by means of fire to a vehicle used in interstate commerce.
- Tyree Goldsmith is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and use of fire to commit a felony.
- Tyree Goldsmith, Taleah Goldsmith and Upchurch face two counts of wire fraud each.
Lamont Sparrow was apprehended last week by U.S. Marshals Service agents after being sought since August when indictments were unsealed against all six defendants. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynne A. Sitarski in Philadelphia federal court.
“This case is currently scheduled to go to trial in October,” according to prosecutors.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania State Police; and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Arena and Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Martin are prosecuting.
“The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.”
