PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson sentenced Rashad Johnson-Price, a 20-year-old resident of Philadelphia, to 135 months in federal prison on Thursday. This substantial sentence reflects his involvement in two separate carjacking incidents and the use of a firearm during these violent acts.
Johnson-Price’s criminal activities date back to August 2022, when he, along with an accomplice, orchestrated a series of carjackings targeting ride-share drivers. The first incident occurred in the early hours of August 9, 2022, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, where a Lyft driver was victimized. Merely four days later, a similar crime unfolded, this time involving an Uber driver. In both instances, the perpetrators requested rides and, upon reaching their destinations, forcefully seized the vehicles at gunpoint.
The legal proceedings commenced with an indictment in January 2023, culminating in a guilty plea by Johnson-Price by September the same year. His admission of guilt included not only the carjackings but also the use of a firearm, a factor that significantly elevated the severity of his offenses.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero underscored the gravity of these crimes, emphasizing the fear instilled in the victims who were simply pursuing their livelihoods. “It must have been terrifying, especially in the early hours of the morning, with few other people around,” Romero stated, reaffirming the commitment of the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force to thwart such threats.
Echoing this sentiment, Eric J. DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Philadelphia Field Division, described the acts as “particularly awful crimes” and assured that justice would be served through meticulous investigation and partnership with local authorities.
This case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Philadelphia Police Department, was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert E. Eckert and Lauren E. Stram.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.