Philly Man Gets 15 Years For Blowing Up ATM During 2020 Civil Unrest

Philadelphia PA

15 June, 2022

9:30 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — A 26-year-old Philadelphia man will spend more than a dozen years in federal prison for his role in blowing up an ATM during civil unrest in 2020. United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said David Elmakayes, 26, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release for using an explosive device to damage an ATM and for illegally possessing a firearm. Elmakayes was charged on June 18, 2020, with malicious damage of property with an explosive device and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, charges which were the result of an incident that occurred during a period of civil unrest and protests in Philadelphia in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the largely peaceful protests, incidents of looting, burglary, arson, destruction of property, and other violent acts occurred. On the night of June 3, 2020, Elmakayes used an explosive device to heavily damage an automated teller machine on the sidewalk at 217 E. Westmoreland St. in North Philadelphia. When he was arrested a short time later, police discovered that had three more explosive devices in his possession, as well as a .32 caliber pistol and other firearms. "This defendant took advantage of a volatile situation on the streets of Philadelphia to commit a dangerous act that could have injured many people," said U.S. Attorney Williams. "Damaging property with an explosive device and illegally carrying a firearm are federal crimes which our Office will aggressively prosecute. Elmakayes will now spend 15 years in prison for these crimes."