Philadelphia Man Charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

PHILADELPHIA –United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Nafiysh Knox-Schenck, 32, of Philadelphia, PA, was arrested and charged by Indictment with possession of a firearm by a felon stemming from an incident on May 13, 2024, in which he resisted arrest by Philadelphia police based on an outstanding arrest warrant. 

According to the Indictment, on May 13, 2024, Knox-Schenck resisted arrest when two police officers attempted to place him into custody based on an outstanding arrest warrant.  While struggling with the officers, Knox-Schenck pulled a loaded firearm from his waistband and then tossed it into the street.  Another person then took the firearm and tossed it into a nearby wooded lot.  After a struggle, the officers were able to get Knox-Schenck handcuffed and placed him in their vehicle.  While the officers went to retrieve the firearm, someone opened the door to the police vehicle and Knox-Schneck was able to escape police custody.  Philadelphia police officers then obtained another arrest warrant for the defendant and with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service were able to arrest Knox-Schneck on May 15, 2024.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year period of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

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 Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Special Assistant United States Attorney Tracie J. Gaydos.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.