PHILADELPHIA – A severe blow was struck against the tide of gun violence in Philadelphia as Kenneth Blakeney, 29, faced justice for his brazen act. United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that the defendant has been sentenced to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release after being found guilty at trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In June 2021, Blakeney was convicted following an incident in March 2019 where Philadelphia Police Officers discovered a loaded gun in his possession during a traffic stop. The defendant, already a known felon, had no legal right to own or possess a firearm. His attempt to flee from law enforcement led to a high-speed chase, culminating in the defendant’s surrender after several blocks of pursuit.
“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 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, echoed this sentiment: “Today’s sentence ensures that a violent criminal is taken off the streets for a long time. Keeping our communities safe from violent felons like Blakeney will always be our top priority.” The joint effort between the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s office in maintaining public safety was commended.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration among all levels of law enforcement and communities. Reinvigorated by the Department of Justice in 2017, PSN has been instrumental in targeting violent criminals across the United States.
The investigation into Blakeney’s case was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Philadelphia Police Department, with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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