A gunpoint carjacking in South Philadelphia has landed a 24-year-old woman in federal prison for more than seven years, capping a case that prosecutors say shows how seriously the city’s carjacking task force is treating these crimes.
U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro on Monday sentenced Khala Hardy, of Philadelphia, to 85 months behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release. Prosecutors said the March 2024 theft began when Hardy approached a driver, pointed a gun and took off with the vehicle while a co-conspirator rode along.
Court filings reviewed by NBC10 Philadelphia say the carjacking happened on March 15, 2024, when Hardy opened the driver’s door, aimed a gun at the woman behind the wheel and ordered her to hand over the keys. According to those documents, Hardy then slid into the driver’s seat while co-conspirator Nyeem Williamson, 23, climbed in and the two drove away. The filings also state that Hardy told Williamson how to disable the Toyota’s GPS and cameras to avoid detection. NBC10 reports that Hardy later gave a voluntary statement to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives admitting her role.
Federal task force, sentencing context
Federal authorities have been routing carjacking investigations to a citywide task force that has produced dozens of federal prosecutions and some hefty prison terms. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, carjacking defendants routinely receive sentences of seven to 15 years, and in the most serious cases can face life behind bars. Hoodline has previously detailed the task force’s work and the recent drop in carjacking numbers in the city; see Recent Drop in Carjackings for more local context.
Co-defendant faces sentencing
Prosecutors say Williamson was arrested three days after the theft and later entered a guilty plea. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. The plea and the looming sentence highlight how federal and local authorities are treating carjackings as violent offenses that bring steep penalties. Court records reviewed in the case also indicate that Hardy instructed others who had communicated with Williamson to delete messages after his arrest.
Federal charges and penalties
Hardy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a carjacking, carjacking and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, all charges that carry significant federal penalties. Per the U.S. Attorney's Office, convictions for those offenses commonly result in multi‑year sentences and mandatory minimums when firearms are involved, which helps explain the 85‑month term imposed in this case.
