Darby Man Charged with Violating Gun Free School Zones Act for Possessing Firearm Near Philadelphia Elementary School

PHILADELPHIA – A federal grand jury today returned a superseding indictment against Kareem Murphy, 36, of Darby, PA, for possessing a firearm in a school zone in Philadelphia, announced United States Attorney William M. McSwain. Murphy had previously been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

The charges brought today under the Gun Free School Zones Act carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, and this sentence must be served consecutively to any sentence for illegally possessing the firearm.  Murphy had already faced a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"Congress has mandated in the Gun Free School Zones Act that people who illegally possess firearms near schools suffer a greater penalty in order to help keep our school children safe,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Anyone illegally possessing a firearm near a school can expect that we will prosecute and seek that greater penalty as part of our commitment to protect our children.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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 Nancy Rue.