PHILADELPHIA – Another gun-toting felon off the streets of Philadelphia. Abdul Porter, 28, was handed a 48-month federal prison sentence today for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced. Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg also tacked on three years of supervised release after Porter serves his time.
The case stems from a late-night traffic stop last May. On May 2, 2023, around 9:12 p.m., Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officers in the 39th District spotted a black Hyundai Sonata with South Carolina plates traveling westbound on West Cambria Street. A routine check quickly revealed the vehicle had been snatched in a carjacking just days earlier, on April 28, 2023.
Officers made a U-turn and attempted to pull the Sonata over. The driver, later identified as Porter, pulled over and took off running. He didn’t get far. A quick pursuit ended with Porter in custody. Back at the vehicle, officers found a black Ruger 9mm semiautomatic pistol in plain view on the driver’s side floor. It wasn’t a mystery who the gun belonged to for long.
Lab analysis by the PPD confirmed what officers suspected: Porter’s DNA was all over the weapon. Crucially, Porter wasn’t legally allowed to have a gun in the first place. He had a prior felony conviction – a record that disqualified him from firearm ownership. He was indicted in June 2024 and pleaded guilty this April, facing the music for his illegal possession.
This wasn’t just a simple gun charge; it was tied to a stolen vehicle obtained through violent means. The PPD and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force worked together to build the case, connecting Porter to both crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Zaleski skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the 48-month sentence.
Porter’s case is a stark reminder of the revolving door of crime plaguing Philadelphia. Another felon, another illegal gun, another sentence – but will it be enough to keep him, and others like him, from returning to the streets? The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and others like it as they move through the system, holding those responsible accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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