A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to a quarter-century behind bars for his role in two violent carjackings that left one food delivery driver dead and another severely injured. John Nusslein, 20, received a 300-month prison term from United States District Court Judge John M. Younge, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. The sentencing also includes five years of supervised release, $5,300 in restitution, and a $300 special assessment fee.
In June 2022, Nusslein was charged by indictment, and on April 2, he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of carjacking resulting in death, and one count of carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury. The carjackings occurred between November 29 and December 29, 2021, with the assailant and his accomplices using food delivery orders as a decoy to lure their victims. These details were provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The first incident, on December 2, 2021, involved Nusslein and two other individuals assaulting a delivery driver known as C.C., which led to the theft of a 2004 Toyota Camry on Teesdale Street in Philadelphia. Regrettably, the driver succumbed to his injuries some weeks later, with the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office citing the assault during the carjacking as the cause of death. The second attack took place on December 16, when Nusslein and an accomplice brandished a firearm at another delivery driver, W.Z., and assaulted him before stealing his 2015 Infiniti QX5 on Hilspach Street.
"A man just trying to make a living lost his life, because John Nusslein wanted his car," said U.S. Attorney Romero. "Another man was brutally assaulted for the same reason. Such senseless violence demands a strong response on behalf of the victims and the community." As expressed by Eric DeGree, ATF Special Agent in Charge, the harsh penalty is emblematic of the seriousness with which federal law views carjacking, a crime that can lead to grave consequences including, lengthy imprisonment.
This case was worked on by both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department and falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods, This federal initiative, revitalized in May 2021, focuses on reducing violent crime and gun violence through cooperative law enforcement efforts and community engagement. Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren E. Stram, and Robert E. Eckert prosecuted the case, highlighting the ongoing determination to address such violent acts and providing an unmistakable warning to others who might contemplate similar crimes.
