Tuggle and Kane Face Federal Charges for Philadelphia Murders

PHILADELPHIA – In a dramatic move against the tide of violence engulfing the city, United States Attorney William M. McSwain unveiled federal charges against Khalif Tuggle, 28, and John Allen Kane, 53, for their alleged roles in two separate Philadelphia murders.

Tuggle stands accused of a chilling crime of carjacking and murder, stemming from his alleged attack on Thomas Petersen on January 24, 2017. He is charged with carjacking, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and murder. The victim was robbed and left for dead, ultimately succumbing to his injuries at the hospital.

In another case, Kane faces federal charges after previously escaping justice on a technicality. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon while on probation for his second homicide in Philadelphia.

McSwain cited these cases as examples of how lenient local criminal justice policies have failed victims and emboldened criminals. In Tuggle’s case, the District Attorney’s Office agreed not to prosecute him for murder in exchange for information that never materialized, sparing him a life sentence. Kane was released after the DA’s Office dismissed his charges on a technicality, only to be arrested by federal authorities.

“These policies create a culture of lawlessness and leave criminals emboldened,” McSwain said, noting the city’s rising murder rate. He also detailed ten additional cases where defendants received shockingly lenient plea deals that later resulted in murders.

Among these cases is Michael Banks, who was given a 3-9 month sentence for a misdemeanor gun charge after being charged with possessing an unlicensed firearm. Now, he faces murder charges for the shooting death of a seven-year-old boy in West Philadelphia.