Khalil Dickens, a 22-year-old Philadelphia resident, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of violent armed carjackings and robberies that occurred during the summer of 2023. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Chad F. Kenney and includes five years of supervised release as well as an order to pay restitution.
Dickens was indicted in January 2024 and pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy, eight counts of carjacking, and three counts related to carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence. According to court documents and admissions made by Dickens, he participated with others in seven armed carjackings, one attempted armed carjacking, eleven additional gunpoint robberies, and received a carjacked vehicle between June and July 2023. Several incidents involved physical assaults on victims, including pistol-whipping and shootings.
“Khalil Dickens and his associates created their own crime wave, committing some 20 violent gunpoint robberies and carjackings in six weeks,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “We simply will not permit dangerous criminals to run around our city terrorizing innocent people. As Dickens can now attest, anyone violently victimizing others like this should be ready to spend not just years, but decades, in prison.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division, commented on the sentencing: “With Khalil Dickens sentenced to a quarter century in federal prison, a dangerous criminal is taken off Philadelphia’s streets. Dickens and the other perpetrators physically assaulted and even shot at the victims of their many carjackings and robberies. Working with our Carjacking Task Force partners we are using the ATF’s unique forensic and investigative tools to stop criminals and protect our communities.”
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel added: “Violent carjackings and armed robberies cause fear in our neighborhoods and inflict real trauma on the people we serve. Today’s sentence sends a clear message: if you choose to commit violent crimes in Philadelphia, you will be held fully accountable. I want to thank our federal partners and the dedicated investigators of the Philadelphia Police Department who worked tirelessly to bring this individual to justice. Together, we will continue to pursue those who harm our residents and work every day to make our city safer.”
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Philadelphia Police Department.
