PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain
announced that Keenan Smith, 29, of Philadelphia was convicted today at trial
with attempted robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, and using or
carrying, and discharging, a firearm during and in relation to a crime of
violence.
On January 31, 2018, the defendant entered the Trolley Car
Diner, located in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, through a side door
before the diner opened for business. He waited outside the manager’s office
with a gun. When the manager arrived, the defendant pointed the gun at the
manager’s head and told him not to move. The manager attempted to disarm the
defendant, who shot himself in the hand before fleeing. The defendant sought
medical treatment at nearby Roxborough Memorial Hospital, and was later
arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department.
“The complete disregard that Smith had for the safety of
others is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The manager of this
restaurant was simply showing up to do his job, and the defendant laid in wait
for him and then put a gun to his head. No one should have to deal with this
type of violence at their place of business or in their neighborhood. The
streets of Philadelphia are safer now that the defendant has been convicted and
will be held accountable for his crimes.”
“Keenan Smith attempted a violent armed robbery, terrorizing
his victim at gunpoint,” said Michael T. Harpster. “He is a danger to the
public, and today’s conviction ensures he’ll remain off the street for quite
some time. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to making
this community safer by bringing to justice those willing to engage in violent
crime.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a
program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities
they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for
everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the
Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S.
Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and
tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective,
locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, with assistance from the
Whitemarsh Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant
United States Attorney Tim Stenge
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