Symair Carson-Williams, also known as “Lil Meer,” was sentenced to 253 months in prison for his involvement in a series of armed carjackings that took place in Philadelphia in early 2024. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh, also includes three years of supervised release and more than $10,000 in restitution.
Carson-Williams, 20, was convicted at trial in March 2025 on charges including conspiracy to commit carjacking, three counts of carjacking, and three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. He was indicted on these charges in May 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Carson-Williams participated with others in three armed carjackings within the span of an hour. Authorities linked him to the crimes through video surveillance footage, cell phone data, forensic evidence, items found inside one of the stolen vehicles, and testimony from victims.
The first incident occurred when Carson-Williams and his associates stole a blue 2019 Honda CR-V from Lansing Street during the night of January 27, 2024. About ninety minutes later at a Sunoco gas station on North 5th Street, two masked offenders approached a man who was putting air into his tires and demanded the keys to his BMW at gunpoint. One offender held a gun to the victim’s head before fleeing with both vehicles.
Shortly after that event, another man was confronted while parking his Chevrolet Equinox on Shelmire Avenue. Two individuals pointed guns at him and ordered him to lie face down on the ground under threat of being shot if he moved. The assailants stole his vehicle along with personal belongings such as his wallet and watch.
The third carjacking happened around half an hour later at a Conoco station on Rising Sun Avenue. Two armed men forced another victim to the ground before stealing his Honda Accord.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf commented: “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. 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 said: “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.
