PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man was arrested and charged on Monday, June 24, 2024, with possession of a firearm by a felon, stemming from an incident that escalated during an arrest attempt last month. United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the charges against Nafiysh Knox-Schenck, 32, following his apprehension.
The indictment outlines a dramatic sequence of events that began on May 13, 2024, when Philadelphia police officers attempted to arrest Knox-Schenck on an outstanding warrant. During the struggle, Knox-Schenck allegedly pulled a loaded firearm from his waistband and threw it into the street. An unidentified individual then picked up the weapon and discarded it in a nearby wooded area.
Despite resisting, officers managed to handcuff Knox-Schenck and placed him in their vehicle. However, while the officers were retrieving the firearm, someone opened the vehicle door, enabling Knox-Schenck to escape custody.
Two days later, on May 15, 2024, Knox-Schenck was arrested again, this time with assistance from the United States Marshals Service.
If convicted of the charges, Knox-Schenck faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts between law enforcement and community organizations. The initiative focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention groups, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside the Philadelphia Police Department, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Special Assistant United States Attorney Tracie J. Gaydos are prosecuting the case.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against Knox-Schenck are allegations. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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