A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to over 18 years in prison for his involvement in three carjackings, including one in Springfield with an untraceable ghost gun. Nikeem Leach-Hilton, 22, pleaded guilty to multiple charges and will also pay fines and serve supervised release. His co-defendant, Tarik Chambers, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The carjacking spree involved stolen firearms and resulted in traumatized victims and significant harm. Leach-Hilton had a prior conviction for involuntary manslaughter. Alex Rose reported
City Man Sentenced to Over 18 Years in Prison for Involvement in Carjackings
Introduction
A Philadelphia man, Nikeem Leach-Hilton, has been sentenced to a little more than 18 years in prison for his participation in three carjackings. One of the carjackings, which occurred in Springfield, involved the use of an untraceable ghost gun. Leach-Hilton, 22, pleaded guilty in August to charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting a carjacking, and aiding and abetting carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence. His co-defendant, Tarik Chambers, also pleaded guilty to identical charges and is awaiting sentencing.
The Carjacking Spree
According to a sentencing memorandum filed by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette King, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Urban, Leach-Hilton and Chambers met up with two other individuals on December 17, 2021. They took photos of themselves with five firearms, including an AR-15 type rifle, shotgun, and three handguns with distinct green and purple laser pointers. The following night, Leach-Hilton and Chambers, along with an unindicted co-conspirator named Khasir Lynch, carjacked a person at gunpoint while the victim was sitting in his gray 2018 Dodge Durango in North Philadelphia. The victim later identified Leach-Hilton and Chambers as the perpetrators, as they were brandishing two of the same firearms seen in the earlier photo.
About 20 minutes after the first carjacking, the three men targeted their second victim, a woman sitting in a white 2021 Range Rover in Germantown. They threatened her with one of the firearms from the earlier photo and ordered her to exit the vehicle. The defendants then drove away in the stolen Range Rover. The vehicle was later found via GPS in a different location, and video surveillance showed Chambers exiting the vehicle and rummaging around in the trunk before leaving.
The Springfield Carjacking
The third and final carjacking took place outside a furniture store in Springfield. The victim reported parking his gray 2004 Range Rover behind the store when he noticed a gray Dodge Durango with tinted windows pulling into another parking space. The victim was approached by a Black male wearing a ski mask, sweatpants, and a black hooded sweatshirt, identified as Leach-Hilton. Leach-Hilton pointed a handgun with an extended magazine at the victim and ordered him to place his keys on the hood of his car. The victim complied, and Leach-Hilton stole the Range Rover. Chambers followed in the Durango.
Shortly after the carjacking, a witness reported seeing a Black male get out of the stolen Range Rover and enter the Durango at a different location. The Range Rover was left in the middle of an intersection and was matched to the one stolen earlier by its license plate.
Crash and Capture
Springfield police had issued a lookout for the Durango after speaking with the carjacking victim. An Aldan police officer spotted the Durango and pursued it, along with an officer from Darby Township. During the chase, the Durango ran a red light, swerved into oncoming traffic, and rear-ended a Chevrolet Equinox near Calcon Hook Road. The driver of the Equinox suffered severe injuries, including a broken hip, leg, arm, and brain bleeding and swelling. The Equinox driver was transported to a hospital in critical condition and spent weeks in the trauma ward.
Leach-Hilton and Chambers fled the crash scene on foot but were apprehended after a foot chase. The carjacking victim identified Leach-Hilton as the person who had pointed a gun at him. Chambers was caught, and a privately made Polymer 80 ghost gun with a green dot laser was found in nearby bushes. The firearm had a 31-round extended magazine, 17 rounds loaded, and one in the chamber. DNA testing on the firearm linked it to Chambers but was inconclusive for Leach-Hilton.
The Impact on Victims
The sentencing memorandum stated that the defendant’s actions left five people traumatized and in fear. One victim stated they suffered immense emotional harm and lost their job as a result of the incident. The driver of the Equinox nearly died, underwent numerous medical procedures, and now requires assistance to walk. Prosecutors argued that based on these facts, Leach-Hilton deserves a lengthy sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offense and the harm caused to the victims and the community. It is worth noting that Leach-Hilton had a prior conviction for involuntary manslaughter involving the discharge of a firearm.
Conclusion
Nikeem Leach-Hilton has been sentenced to over 18 years in prison for his role in three carjackings, including one involving an untraceable ghost gun. His actions have left a lasting impact on the victims, and prosecutors argued for a lengthy sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense. Tarik Chambers, Leach-Hilton’s co-defendant, is awaiting sentencing.
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