District Attorney Larry Krasner Provides Update on DAO's Efforts to Address Public Safety & Engagement Along Philly's Business Corridors - Office of the District Attorney : City of Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (March 26, 2025) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Community Engagement Unit, Gun Violence Task Force (GVTF), Dangerous Drug Offenders Unit (DDOU), and Organized Retail & House Theft Task Force on Wednesday provided engagement, investigative, and prosecutorial updates on the DAO’s efforts to increase engagement and public safety around the city’s business corridors.

Amanda Rivera, Assistant Director of the DAO’s Community Engagement Unit, stated:

“Our Community Engagement team leads and coordinates business corridor canvassing efforts every Tuesday across Philadelphia to share resources, but also to listen to the concerns and innovative ideas of residents and business owners as we seek to prioritize constituent services and safety in neighborhoods and along the corridors.”

Assistant District Attorney William Fritze, Supervisor of the DAO’s GVTF, discussed one of the Task Force’s recent cases:

Nasir Wells (DOB 4/11/01), a member of the now-defunct 02da4 street group, was found guilty by a Philadelphia jury this month of one count of First-Degree Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Conspiracy, two counts of Violations of the Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA) Sections 6106 and 6108, and related charges. These charges stem from the murder of 15-year-old Anthony Walker in March 2021 on the 5200 block of Pennridge Avenue and the non-fatal shooting of a woman on the 3800 block of Parrish Street in January 2021. In the latter case, the defendant opened fire into a residential neighborhood, indiscriminately spraying the area with over 60 rounds of ammunition.

Assistant District Attorney Paul Reddel, Supervisor of the DDOU, discussed two of the unit’s recent cases:

Anthony Flowers (DOB 10/27/77) and John Carmichael (DOB 2/24/1975) were arrested and charged this month with multiple narcotics and firearm offenses, including Possession with Intent to Distribute, VUFA 6105, Conspiracy, and related charges. Investigators recovered over $3,500 in crack and three prohibited firearms, two of which had their serial numbers obliterated to prevent tracing, as part of a drug trafficking scheme operating on the 600 block of N. 53rd Street in West Philadelphia. The defendants’ preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for May 13 before Judge William Austin Meehan.
Bulk quantities of cocaine, pills, and marijuana were recovered from three separate properties after Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) executed search warrants on three separate properties in West Philadelphia’s 18th Police District after five months of investigation by the DDOU and PSP. 10 firearms, drug paraphernalia, and packaging materials were also seized from the properties in addition to over $75,000 cash. This remains an ongoing investigation; as such, additional details cannot be provided at this time.

Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Esack, Supervisor of the DAO’s Organized Retail & House Theft Task Force, discussed six cases:

Karoon Smallwood (DOB 6/21/90) pleaded guilty to three counts of Retail Theft (F3) for stealing over $7,100 worth of items from six separate drug stores located across the city.
Nasir Chester (DOB 9/1/94), Smallwood’s co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to three counts of Retail Theft (F3) for stealing over $4,600 worth of items from four drug stores located across the city.
Joseph Morris (DOB 2/19/85) pleaded guilty to one count of Robbery (F1) and related charges for robbing a Dollar General on the 900 block of Levick Street in September 2023.
Donshik Graham (DOB 8/2/79) pleaded guilty to three counts of Burglary (F2) for breaking into a deli located on the 1000 block of Spruce Street on three different occasions in April and May 2024. As a result, Graham stole over $15,000 worth of merchandise.
Anthony Iannetta (DOB 8/5/78) pleaded guilty to two counts of Burglary (F2), three counts of Attempted Burglary (F2), and related charges stemming from break-ins of Chinese restaurants that occurred between January and February 2024 in various parts of the city.
Louis Porter (DOB 11/10/94) pleaded guilty to three counts of Retail Theft (F3) and one count of Robbery (F2) for stealing approximately $2,000 worth of merchandise from two drug stores, an optical store, and a Wawa.

DA Krasner also announced that the DAO’s retail theft policy has been modified after lengthy consultations with criminologists, the Philadelphia Police Department, community members, and others. The updated policy better reflects the challenges presented by modern retail theft, including sweeping changes in commerce such as: