United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Nafiysh Knox-Schenck, a 33-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 39 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky following Knox-Schenck's guilty plea to the charge of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The charge stemmed from an incident on May 13, 2024, when officers from the Philadelphia Police Department attempted to arrest Knox-Schenck based on an outstanding warrant. During the arrest attempt, he resisted and pulled a loaded firearm from his waistband, tossing it into the street. Another individual then threw the firearm into a nearby wooded area. Despite these actions, police managed to handcuff Knox-Schenck and place him in their vehicle.
While officers retrieved their body-worn camera and the firearm, someone opened the door of the police vehicle allowing Knox-Schenck to escape on foot. He was later apprehended on May 15 with assistance from the United States Marshals Service after another warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Knox-Schenck knew he wasn’t allowed to have a gun, given his criminal record," stated U.S. Attorney Metcalf. "We and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable felons who have decided that federal gun laws don’t apply to them."
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division added: “ATF is committed to working with our partners to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals like Nafiysh Knox-Schenck who endanger our neighborhoods.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community groups.
The investigation involved both the ATF and Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Tracie J. Gaydos are prosecuting this case.