Philadelphia felon Kenneth Blakeney, 29, is headed to federal prison for nine years after being caught with a loaded firearm during a traffic stop in March 2019 — a violation of federal law that triggered a wild flight from police and a months-long manhunt. Blakeney, already a convicted felon, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Gene E. K. Pratter to nine years in prison plus three years of supervised release.
The trouble began when Philadelphia Police pulled Blakeney over and discovered a loaded gun in his possession. Because of his felony record, he was legally barred from owning or carrying any firearm. When officers moved to secure the weapon, Blakeney slammed his car into gear and took off, leading police on a chaotic chase through city streets. After abandoning his vehicle mid-flight and bolting on foot, he vanished into the urban maze — staying at large until his arrest months later in October 2019.
Blakeney stood trial in June 2021 and was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries stiff penalties under federal law, especially in cities ravaged by gun violence. Prosecutors emphasized the danger posed by armed felons re-entering communities with ready access to weapons, calling the case a textbook example of why federal intervention is necessary to disrupt cycles of violence.
“Being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm is a serious offense, particularly in Philadelphia where gun violence is rampant,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams. “Today’s sentence should serve as an example to others who have previously been convicted of felony offenses and are considering carrying firearms: our ‘All Hands on Deck’ initiative uses every law enforcement tool at our disposal to find and stop you. If you choose to illegally carry a firearm, you are going to face serious federal charges.”
Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division, hailed the sentence as a win for public safety. “Keeping our communities safe from violent felons like Blakeney will always be our top priority,” Varisco said. “Today’s sentence ensures that a violent criminal is taken off the streets for a long time.” He credited the joint efforts of the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in securing the conviction.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Philadelphia Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Jeanette Kang. It falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Justice Department’s nationwide initiative relaunched in 2017 to combat violent crime by targeting repeat offenders and strengthening cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement. In Blakeney’s case, the system worked — just not before he threatened public safety with a loaded gun and a foot chase through the city.”
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Related Federal Cases
- Alexis McDonald Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · West Virginia
- John Jacob Hasay Gets 24 Months for Illegal Machinegun Possession · Pennsylvania
- Johnstown’s Sean Zachary Horton, 29, Cuffed for Illegal Firearm Possession · Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Man Jailed for Illegal Firearm Possession in MS · Mississippi
- Wilkinsburg Felon Gets 8 Years for Illegal .22 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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