United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Azzubayr Ibn Abdul Josey, 23, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with two counts of carjacking, two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, two counts of robbery which interferes with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
The defendant was arrested yesterday morning and made his initial appearance in Magistrate Court before the Honorable Scott W. Reid.
As alleged in the indictment, on November 9, 2024, Josey carjacked a 2011 Toyota Sienna in Philadelphia at gunpoint. Then on November 24, 2024, he is alleged to have carjacked a 2006 Honda Civic in Philadelphia, again at gunpoint. The same day, the defendant allegedly robbed a Family Dollar in West Philadelphia, where he simulated that he had a firearm. Finally, on November 25, 2024, Josey is alleged to have robbed a CVS in West Philadelphia, again simulating that he had a firearm.
The indictment also alleges that the defendant possessed a stolen firearm on December 11, 2024.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.
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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney David Osborne.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
